Risk In Older Adults Research Articles

Malnutrition and Fall Risk in Older Adults: A Comprehensive Assessment Across Different Living Situations

Background: Malnutrition among older adults is associated with numerous adverse effects, including increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and a heightened risk of falls. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in different groups of older adults using the F-MNA, anthropometry, and s-albumin and the association between nutritional status and fall risk. Methods: A total of 228 participants aged 60 years and older were divided into three groups: (1) patients in an internal medicine ward, (2) individuals living in family homes, and (3) residents of care homes. Disease profiles, nutritional status (assessed using the F-MNA and SNAQ), body composition, fall risk, and biochemical markers were evaluated. Results: The results indicated the highest prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized individuals. Fall risk was associated with age, calf circumference, the F-MNA, the SNAQ, serum albumin levels, residence in a care home, comorbidities, and the number of medications taken daily. Regression analysis revealed that age, calf circumference, and residence in a care home were independent predictors of fall risk in older adults. Conclusion: Older adults are at significant risk of malnutrition, with the risk notably increasing during hospitalization and long-term stays in care homes. Hospitalized individuals had the poorest nutritional status and were at significant risk of further weight loss, underscoring the importance of post-discharge care and rehabilitation.

Associations between serum cystatin C and fall reports in an Elderly population

Fall is common in the elderly, and chronic kidney disease is considered a major risk factor. Serum creatinine (Cre) and cystatin C (Cys C) are commonly used biomarkers for renal function, while the ratio of Cre to Cys C, known as the sarcopenia index (SI), provides insights into muscle health. This study investigates the relationships between Cre, Cys C, estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), SI, and self-reported falls using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. We included 4,272 older adults with eGFR > 30mL/min/1.73m2 from NHANES (1999 to 2004) and divided them into the fall and non-fall groups based on the questionnaires. Correlations were assessed using restricted cubic spline, weighted generalized linear regression models. Multi-factor logistic regression analysis identified serum Cys C as significantly associated with falls (all participants: OR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.23, p < 0.001; participants with eGFR > 75 mL/min/1.73m2: OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.30, p < 0.001,). In contrast, Cre and eGFR were not significant after adjustments; SI showed marginal significance (p = 0.045). Cys C is significantly associated with fall risk in older adults, demonstrating a positive linear relationship with self-reported falls.

Measurement invariance of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale and associations with genetic risk in older adults.

As populations are aging, it needs to be ensured that valid depression rating scales are available across old adulthood. Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) is a common depression rating scale, however, few studies have assessed its validity in individuals with age over 90 and/or cognitive impairment. We examined the factor structures of 20-, 15-, and 8-item CES-D scales, their measurement invariance for age and cognition, and associations with genetic risk of depression. Participants were from a population-based older Finnish Twin Cohort study including 71-79-year-olds from the MEMTWIN II (n = 1034 for exploratory and n = 664 for confirmatory factor analyses) and 90+ year-olds from the NONAGINTA (n = 134, confirmatory factor analyses) sub-studies. Associations of polygenic risk score of major depressive disorder (MDD-PRS) with CES-D scales were examined in MEMTWIN II. Exploratory factor analyses (n = 1034) suggested four- (CES-D 20) and three-factor (CES-D 8) structures and these models fit well in confirmatory analyses (n = 664). Unidimensional models had good (CES-D 15 & 20) or fair fit (CES-D 8). Results supported scalar invariance of all CES-D versions for age and cognitive status. Higher MDD-PRS was associated with more depressive symptoms in different CES-D versions. Different CES-D versions are adequate for measuring depressive symptoms across age groups and cognitive spectrum in old age. Genetic risk of depression predicts depressive symptoms even in old age.

Multistage carcinogenesis in occupational cholangiocarcinoma: the impact of clonal expansion and risk estimation

BackgroundBoth mutation induction and clonal expansion of mutated cells cause cancer. The probability of cancer development depends on mutations, clonal growth rates, and carcinogenic mechanisms. A recent study showed cases of occupational cholangiocarcinomas that originate multifocally, with higher mutation burden levels than those in common cholangiocarcinomas. This study aimed to identify the effect of clonal expansion on and estimate the risk of occupational and common intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs) using a multistage model modified to include the effect of cell expansion at any carcinogenic stage.MethodsThe age-specific incidence of common ICC estimated from the Vital Statistics in Japan and the prognosis of ICC, and mutation frequencies of occupational and common ICC available from the previous report, were applied to a multistage model modified with cell proliferation effects. From the fittest model, the risk after exposure was estimated.ResultsThe required number of stages for carcinogenesis was estimated to be three based on the incidences and mutation frequencies of occupational and common ICCs. Based on this estimation, the predicted incidence curve under the model was similar to that estimated from the ICC mortality rate, except for older adults. The model indicated a minor effect of clonal expansion on the observed occupational ICC risk. It predicted a rapid decrease in ICC risk after the cessation of occupational exposure, although the time of clinical detection of cancer after the exposure was affected by latency. The model predicted an increase in cancer risk in older adults caused by cell expansion and common background mutations. However, the risk in older adults was overestimated in the case of common ICC; this divergence could influence occupational ICC cases.ConclusionsThree-stage ICC carcinogenesis has been proposed. The high mutation burden levels caused by occupational exposure led to an immediate incidence of cancer. After a long period of relatively low cancer risk, an increased risk in older adults was also predicted.

Graded association of muscle strength with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older adults with diabetes: Prospective cohort study across 28 countries.

The worldwide prevalence of diabetes is increasing, particularly among older adults. Understanding the association between muscle strength and mortality in this population is crucial for developing targeted exercise recommendations. To assess the prospective association of muscle strength with mortality in older adults with diabetes. From the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) study, spanning 28 countries, we included 16 149 diabetic adults aged 50 years and older (mean age 68.2 [standard deviation, SD, 9.2] years). Participants fulfilled two criteria: (1) diabetes diagnosis (ever) and (2) current use of diabetes medication. Muscle strength was assessed using handgrip dynamometry (unit: kg). Using time-varying Cox regression with restricted cubic splines, we determined the prospective association of muscle strength with all-cause and cause-specific mortality, controlling for various confounders. Over a mean follow-up of 5.9 years (SD 3.8), 2754 participants died (17%). Using the median level of muscle strength as reference (30 kg), lower and higher levels were associated in a curvilinear fashion with higher and lower all-cause mortality risk, respectively. The 10th percentile of muscle strength (17 kg) showed a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.65 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53-1.79). The 90th percentile (47 kg) of muscle strength showed a HR of 0.55 (95% CI 0.49-0.63). A somewhat similar pattern, with varying strength of associations, was seen for mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, severe infectious disease, digestive system disease and cancer. Muscle strength is gradually and inversely associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk in older adults with diabetes. As muscle strength is highly adaptable to resistance training at all ages, the present findings highlight the importance of improving muscle strength in older adults with diabetes.

Sex-specific dementia risk in known or suspected obstructive sleep apnea: A 10-year longitudinal population-based study

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate sex-specific associations between known or suspected OSA and dementia risk over 10-years among older women and men. Methods This study included 18,815 women and men age 50+ years (dementia-free at baseline) who participated in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative cohort of US adults. Presence of OSA was defined by self-reported diagnosis or key HRS items that correspond to elements of a validated OSA screening tool (STOP-Bang). Incident dementia cases were identified using a validated, HRS-based algorithm derived from objective cognitive assessments. Survey-weighted regression models based on pseudo-values were utilized to estimate sex- and age-specific differences in cumulative incidence of dementia by OSA status. Results Data from 18,815 adults were analyzed, of which 9% of women and 8% of men (weighted proportions) met criteria for incident dementia. Known/suspected OSA was more prevalent in men than in women (weighted proportions 68% vs. 31%). Unadjusted sex-stratified analyses showed that known/suspected OSA was associated with higher cumulative incidence of dementia across ages 60–84 years for women and men. By age 80, relative to adults without known/suspected OSA, the cumulative incidence of dementia was 4.7% higher (CI 2.8%,6.7%) for women with known/suspected OSA, and 2.5% (CI 0.5%,4.5%) for men with known/suspected OSA, respectively. Adjusted associations between age-specific OSA and cumulative incidence of dementia attenuated for both women and men but remained statistically significant. Discussion OSA contributes to dementia risk in older adults, particularly women. This study illuminates the impact of a potentially modifiable yet frequently overlooked risk factor for dementia onset.

Neurophysiological markers of early cognitive decline in older adults: a mini-review of electroencephalography studies for precursors of dementia

The early detection of cognitive decline in older adults is crucial for preventing dementia. This mini-review focuses on electroencephalography (EEG) markers of early dementia-related precursors, including subjective cognitive decline, subjective memory complaints, and cognitive frailty. We present recent findings from EEG analyses identifying high dementia risk in older adults, with an emphasis on conditions that precede mild cognitive impairment. We also cover event-related potentials, quantitative EEG markers, microstate analysis, and functional connectivity approaches. Moreover, we discuss the potential of these neurophysiological markers for the early detection of cognitive decline as well as their correlations with related biomarkers. The integration of EEG data with advanced artificial intelligence technologies also shows promise for predicting the trajectory of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders. Although challenges remain in its standardization and clinical application, EEG-based approaches offer non-invasive, cost-effective methods for identifying individuals at risk of dementia, which may enable earlier interventions and personalized treatment strategies.

Assessing the Impact of Frailty on Infection Risk in Older Adults: Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Infectious diseases are among the leading causes of death and disability and are recognized as a major cause of health loss globally. At the same time, frailty as a geriatric syndrome is a rapidly growing major public health problem. However, few studies have investigated the incidence and risk of infectious diseases in frail older people. Thus, research on frailty and infectious diseases is urgently needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between frailty and infectious diseases among older adults aged 65 years and older. In this prospective observational cohort study, we have analyzed the infectious disease prevalence outcomes of older adults aged 65 years and older who participated in frailty epidemiological surveys from March 1, 2018, to March 2023 in Dalang Town, Dongguan City, and from March 1, 2020, to March 2023 in Guancheng Street, Dongguan City. This study has an annual on-site follow-up. Incidence data for infectious diseases were collected through the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System-Infectious Disease Monitoring and Public Health Emergency Monitoring System. A project-developed frailty assessment scale was used to assess the frailty status of study participants. We compared the incidence rate ratios (IRR) of each disease across frailty status, age, and gender to determine the associations among frailty, gender, age, and infectious diseases. Cox proportional hazards regression was conducted to identify the effect of frailty on the risk of demographic factors and frailty on the risk of infectious diseases, with estimations of the hazard ratio and 95% CI. A total of 235 cases of 12 infectious diseases were reported during the study period, with an incidence of 906.21/100,000 person-years in the frailty group. In the same age group, the risk of infection was higher in men than women. Frail older adults had a hazard ratio for infectious diseases of 1.50 (95% CI 1.14-1.97) compared with healthy older adults. We obtained the same result after sensitivity analyses. For respiratory tract-transmitted diseases (IRR 1.97, 95% CI 1.44-2.71) and gastrointestinal tract-transmitted diseases (IRR 3.67, 95% CI 1.39-10.74), frail older adults are at risk. Whereas no significant association was found for blood-borne, sexually transmitted, and contact-transmitted diseases (IRR 0.76, 95% CI 0.37-1.45). Our study provides additional evidence that frailty components are significantly associated with infectious diseases. Health care professionals must pay more attention to frailty in infectious disease prevention and control.

Frailty or sarcopenia: which is a better indicator of mortality risk in older adults?

BackgroundDespite the different conditions, frailty and sarcopenia overlap regarding their common link: the assessment of walking speed and muscle strength. This study aimed to compare the frailty phenotype to the...

Aortic-Femoral Stiffness Gradient and Cardiovascular Risk in Older Adults.

The aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient, calculated as the ratio of lower-limb pulse-wave velocity (PWV) to central (aortic) PWV, is a promising tool for assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but whether it predicts incident CVD is unknown. We examined the association of the aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient measures carotid-femoral stiffness gradient (femoral-ankle PWV divided by carotid-femoral PWV) and the heart-femoral stiffness gradient (femoral-ankle PWV divided by heart-femoral PWV), as well as PWV, with incident CVD (coronary disease, stroke, and heart failure) and all-cause mortality among 3109 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study cohort (age, 75±5 years; carotid-femoral PWV, 11.5±3.0 m/s), free of CVD. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CIs. Over a median 7.4-year follow-up, there were 322 cases of incident CVD and 410 deaths. In fully adjusted models, only top quartiles of carotid-femoral stiffness gradient (quartile 4: HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.03-1.97]; and quartile 3: HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.08-2.05]) and heart-femoral stiffness gradient (quartile 4: HR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.27-2.48]; and quartile 3: HR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.00-2.00]) were significantly associated with a greater risk of incident CVD. Only high aortic stiffness in combination with low lower-limb stiffness was significantly associated with incident CVD (HR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.06-2.02]) compared with the referent low aortic stiffness and high lower-limb stiffness. No PWVs were significantly associated with incident CVD. No exposures were associated with all-cause mortality. The aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient may enhance CVD risk assessment in older adults in whom the predictive capacity of traditional risk factors and PWV are attenuated.

5120 Contribution Of Proximal Femur Geometry And Bone Density Distribution To Hip Fragility In Adults ≥ 50yrs With Longstanding Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract Disclosure: F. Johannesdottir: None. C. D’Mello: None. A.B. Murthy: None. B. Zahedi: None. K. Engelke: None. M.L. Bouxsein: None. E.W. Yu: Grant Recipient; Self; Amgen Inc. Introduction: Adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a 6-fold increased risk of hip fracture, which is explained only in part by lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD) by DXA. We hypothesize that femoral geometry and regional bone deficits at the proximal femur contribute to higher hip fracture risk in older adults with T1D. Further, we determine the influence of age at T1D diagnosis on femoral bone density and structure. Methods: We enrolled 97 individuals with T1D and 53 non-diabetic controls (CON) as part of the T1D Bone Health Connection (BEACON) Study, an ongoing prospective study of adults aged ≥50 years. We obtained computed tomography (CT) scans of the proximal femur (in-plane pixel size 0.98x0.98 mm, 1.25 mm slice thickness) to measure total (Tt), trabecular (Tb) and cortical (Ct) volumetric BMD (vBMD); and volume (Vol) and Ct thickness (Th) in several regions, including total hip, femoral neck (FN), trochanter (TR) and intertrochanter (IT) (Medical Image Analysis Framework, University of Erlangen, Germany). We also assessed total hip and FN aBMD by DXA. We employed ANCOVA models to compare bone outcomes between T1D and controls with adjustment for age, height, and weight, stratified by sex. When comparing bone outcomes within T1D, we adjusted for age, height, weight, and sex. Differences are reported as % difference between the least-square means for the groups. Results: The average age of participants was 64±7 yrs, and similar between T1D and CON (p=0.21). Male T1D were shorter than male CON (173 cm vs 176 cm, p=0.05), but with similar weight (p=0.73). Female T1D were heavier than female CON (71 kg vs 64 kg, p=0.03). The T1D cohort included 50 men and 47 women with mean diabetes duration of 46±10 yrs, mean A1c 7.1±1.0%, and median age at onset 17 yrs (IQR:10-25). Among T1D, 31 (52% female) were diagnosed ≤ age 12. Among men, total hip and FN aBMD did not differ by group, but T1D had smaller FN Tt.Vol (9%) and FN width (8%) (p&amp;lt;0.05 for all). In contrast, there were no differences between T1D and CON in the female cohort, neither by DXA nor CT (p≥0.13). Of note, T1D men appeared to have more poorly controlled diabetes than women (29% of men vs 11% women had A1c ≥8%, p=0.03). Within T1D, those who were diagnosed ≤ age 12 had lower Tb.vBMD (16-18%) at the total hip, TR and IT regions (p&amp;lt;0.05) and tended to have lower Tb.vBMD (16%, p=0.06) at the neck compared to those diagnosed at a later age, but no differences in DXA aBMD (p&amp;gt;0.31). Conclusion: In sum, older men, but not women, with T1D showed some deficits in bone structure at the proximal femur. Adults with T1D who were diagnosed ≤ age 12 had trabecular bone deficits within the proximal femur. Additional studies are needed to identify mechanisms underlying the high hip fracture risk in T1D. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Mild Cognitive Impairment, Religiosity, Spirituality and all-Cause Mortality Among Chinese Older Adults in Ethnic Minority Communities.

The relationship between mild cognitive impairment (MCI), religiosity and/or spirituality (R/S), and all-cause mortality among older adults has yet to be clarified. The current study aims to examine this relationship using a longitudinal cohort from ethnic minority communities in mainland China. The Cox proportional hazards regression modeling revealed that MCI predicted an increased risk of all-cause mortality, and high R/S buffered this association. Those findings suggest that a religious-spiritual integrated community intervention program may reduce the mortality risk in older adults with MCI in ethnically disadvantaged populations.

Ability of Heart Rate Recovery and Gait Kinetics in a Single Wearable to Predict Frailty: Quasiexperimental Pilot Study.

Aging is a risk factor for falls, frailty, and disability. The utility of wearables to screen for physical performance and frailty at the population level is an emerging research area. To date, there is a limited number of devices that can measure frailty and physical performance simultaneously. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and validity of a continuous digital monitoring wearable device incorporating gait mechanics and heart rate recovery measurements for detecting frailty, poor physical performance, and falls risk in older adults at risk of falls. This is a substudy of 156 community-dwelling older adults ≥60 years old with falls or near falls in the past 12 months who were recruited for a fall prevention intervention study. Of the original participants, 22 participants agreed to wear wearables on their ankles. An interview questionnaire involving demographics, cognition, frailty (FRAIL), and physical function questions as well as the Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com) was administered. Physical performance comprised gait speed, timed up and go (TUG), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test. A gait analyzer was used to measure gait mechanics and steps (FRAIL-functional: fatigue, resistance, and aerobic), and a heart rate analyzer was used to measure heart rate recovery (FRAIL-nonfunctional: weight loss and chronic illness). The participants' mean age was 74.6 years. Of the 22 participants, 9 (41%) were robust, 10 (46%) were prefrail, and 3 (14%) were frail. In addition, 8 of 22 (36%) had at least one fall in the past year. Participants had a mean gait speed of 0.8 m/s, a mean SPPB score of 8.9, and mean TUG time of 13.8 seconds. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for the gait analyzer against the functional domains were 1.00, 0.84, and 0.92, respectively, for SPPB (balance and gait); 0.38, 0.89, and 0.64, respectively, for FRAIL-functional; 0.45, 0.91, and 0.68, respectively, for FROP-Com; 0.60, 1.00, and 0.80, respectively, for gait speed; and 1.00, 0.94, and 0.97, respectively, for TUG. The heart rate analyzer demonstrated superior validity for the nonfunctional components of frailty, with a sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 0.73, and AUC of 0.83. Agreement between the gait and heart rate analyzers and the functional components of the FRAIL scale, gait speed, and FROP-Com was significant. In addition, there was significant agreement between the heart rate analyzer and the nonfunctional components of the FRAIL scale. The gait and heart rate analyzers could be used in a screening test for frailty and falls in community-dwelling older adults but require further improvement and validation at the population level.

Feasibility of Fall-Risk Detection in Older Adults: Real-World Use of Sensor Data With Machine Learning.

To use machine learning techniques with sensor data to predict fall risk in older adults aging in place. We tested the feasibility of using anomaly detection on a dataset comprising 315 days of continuous unobtrusive sensor data obtained from a single participant to predict fall risk within a 10-day window. Predictions were validated with performance metrics, including accuracy, F1 score, and receiver operating characteristic-area under curve (ROC-AUC), using actual falls documented in the electronic health record. The model resulted with accuracy = 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.94, 0.99]), F1 = 0.78 (95% CI [0.73, 0.83]), and ROC-AUC = 0.89 (95% CI [0.85, 0.93]). The application of anomaly detection on sensor data may provide a timely and valid indication of fall risk in older adults within a 10-day window. Further research and validation are warranted to confirm these findings and expand the scope of application in the domain of older adult care and health care support. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(10), 7-10.].

A novel predictive model for optimizing diabetes screening in older adults.

The fasting blood glucose test is widely used for diabetes screening. However, it may fail to detect early-stage diabetes characterized by elevated postprandial glucose levels. Hence, we developed and internally validated a nomogram to predict the diabetes risk in older adults with normal fasting glucose levels. This study enrolled 2,235 older adults, dividing them into a Training Set (n = 1,564) and a Validation Set (n = 671) based on a 7:3 ratio. We employed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to identify predictors for constructing the nomogram. Calibration and discrimination were employed to assess the nomogram's performance, while its clinical utility was evaluated through decision curve analysis. Nine key variables were identified as significant factors: age, gender, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, the ratio of alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and hemoglobin. The nomogram demonstrated good discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.824 in the Training Set and 0.809 in the Validation Set. Calibration curves for both sets confirmed the model's accuracy in estimating the actual diabetes risk. Decision curve analysis highlighted the model's clinical utility. We provided a dynamic nomogram for identifying older adults at risk of diabetes, potentially enhancing the efficiency of diabetes screening in primary healthcare units.

Comparison of gnri, pni,conut with MNA-SF to assess prognostic value for fall risk in older adults

Comparison of gnri, pni,conut with MNA-SF to assess prognostic value for fall risk in older adults

Psychosocial Health and the Association Between Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Markers With Dementia: The ARIC Study.

Associations between magnetic resonance imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and dementia risk in older adults have been established, but it remains unclear how lifestyle factors, including psychosocial health, may modify this association. Social support and social isolation were assessed among participants of the community-based ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study, via self-reported questionnaires (1990-1992). Following categorization of both factors, participants were classified as having strong or poor mid-life social relationships. At visit 5 (2011-2013), participants underwent 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging quantifying CSVD measures: white matter hyperintensity volume, microbleeds (subcortical), infarcts (lacunar), and white matter integrity (diffusion tensor imaging). Incident dementia cases were identified from the time of imaging through December 31, 2020 with ongoing surveillance. Associations between CSVD magnetic resonance imaging markers and incident dementia were evaluated using Cox proportional-hazard regressions adjusted for demographic and additional risk factors (from visit 2). Effect modification by mid-life social relationships was evaluated. Of the 1977 participants with magnetic resonance imaging, 1617 participants (60.7% women; 26.5% Black participants; mean age at visit 2, 55.4 years) were examined. In this sample, mid-life social relationships significantly modified the association between white matter hyperintensity volume and dementia risk (P interaction=0.001). Greater white matter hyperintensity volume was significantly associated with risk of dementia in all participants, yet, more substantially in those with poor (hazard ratio, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.49-2.27]) versus strong (hazard ratio, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.08-1.47]) mid-life social relationships. Although not statistically significant, subcortical microbleeds in participants with poor mid-life social relationships were associated with a greater risk of dementia, relative to those with strong social relationships, in whom subcortical microbleeds were no longer associated with elevated dementia risk. The elevated risk of dementia associated with CSVD may be reduced in participants with strong mid-life social relationships. Future studies evaluating psychosocial health through the life course and the mechanisms by which they modify the relationship between CSVD and dementia are needed.

Over-the-Counter Topical Analgesics: Benefits and Risks for Older Adults

Over-the-Counter Topical Analgesics: Benefits and Risks for Older Adults

Effect of frailty on unplanned readmission in older adults: A systematic review

BackgroundFrailty and hospital readmissions are two major problems for older people because of their impact on health, quality of life and healthcare systems. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between frailty and unplanned readmissions at 30, 90, 180 days and 1 year in hospitalised older people, and to identify the most relevant tools for assessing readmission risk in different clinical settings to facilitate systematic identification of this high-risk population by healthcare professionals. MethodThis review was based on a systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and SCIENCEDIRECT databases for articles published between January 2011 and December 2021 that examined the association between frailty and unplanned readmission in hospitalised adults aged 65 years and over using identified validated tools. Results44 eligible studies out of 1362 were included in a descriptive analysis. Sixteen countries were represented with older adults hospitalised in medical, surgical, post-acute care and rehabilitation, and emergency departments. Up to 84.5% of frail older adults had an unplanned readmission. Of the 21 tools identified, the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), the Frailty Index (FI), its derivatives, the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the Fried model were the most widely used and relevant tools for identifying the association between frailty and unplanned readmission. ConclusionFrailty is widely associated with readmission risk in older adults. The HFRS, FI, CFS and Fried model appear to be the most commonly used tools to assess frailty and prevent unplanned readmissions.

Effect of Cognitive Control and Dual-Task Training on Gait Stability and Fall Risk In Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Effect of Cognitive Control and Dual-Task Training on Gait Stability and Fall Risk In Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study