Usual Age Research Articles

Urine Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling Is Associated with the Dietary Pattern of Successful Aging among Malaysian Elderly.

Food intake biomarkers (FIBs) can reflect the intake of specific foods or dietary patterns (DP). DP for successful aging (SA) has been widely studied. However, the relationship between SA and DP characterized by FIBs still needs further exploration as the candidate markers are scarce. Thus, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-based urine metabolomics profiling was conducted to identify potential metabolites which can act as specific markers representing DP for SA. Urine sample of nine subjects from each three aging groups, SA, usual aging (UA), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), were analyzed using the 1H-NMR metabolomic approach. Principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied. The association between SA urinary metabolites and its DP was assessed using the Pearson’s correlation analysis. The urine of SA subjects was characterized by the greater excretion of citrate, taurine, hypotaurine, serotonin, and melatonin as compared to UA and MCI. These urinary metabolites were associated with alteration in “taurine and hypotaurine metabolism” and “tryptophan metabolism” in SA elderly. Urinary serotonin (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) and melatonin (r = 0.47, p < 0.05) were associated with oat intake. These findings demonstrate that a metabolomic approach may be useful for correlating DP with SA urinary metabolites and for further understanding of SA development.

Physical Performance difference in Community Dwelling Older Adults with Successful Ageing, Usual Ageing and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Physical performance in older adults is known to decline with ageing. However, there is limited information about physical performance among older adults with three different cognitive domains; successful (SA), usual ageing (UA) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in physical performance among older adults in these three categorised cognitive groups. This study is part of a larger scale population based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity among older adults (LRGS TUA). Physical performance were assessed using hand grip (HGT; upper limb strength), 2 minutes step (2MST; endurance), sit to stand (STS; lower limb strength), sit and reach (SRT; lower body flexibility), timed up and go (TUG; mobility and balance), back scratch (BST; upper body flexibility) and gait speed (GS; walking speed) tests. Cognitive status were measured using Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) for global function, Digit Span for attention and working memory; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) for verbal memory. Participants were categorised in three cognitive groups; SA, UA and MCI. SA group were those without diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, cancer, heart diseases and stroke, had normal scores in MMSE (score of >22), optimum self-rated health and no functional limitations measured using Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questionnaire (IADL). Participants with MCI had subjective information of cognitive impairment from caretakers, minimum or low functional limitation, global function with ≤ 19 score on MMSE and 1 SD from below the normal mean of the group for Digit Span and RAVLT. Older adults with UA had minimal or no functional limitation and average scores of MMSE, Digit Span and RAVLT which were between the scores of SA and MCI group. Data was collected among 1291 participants in Phase three of LRGS TUA study. Data was analysed for differences among the three groups using one way ANOVA test. The results showed that majority of older adults were categorized as UA group (71.14%), followed by SA (15.19% ) and MCI (12.72%). Higher performance in physical performance measures except in SRT were demonstrated in SA group compared to MCI and UA groups. Post hoc Sheffe test showed that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the SA and UA group for all tests except for HGT and SRT. MCI and UA groups were significantly different (p < 0.05) in STS, TUG and GST tests. The results suggested that UA and MCI groups had reduced physical performance in lower limb muscle strength, mobility, balance and walking speed compared SA group. Promoting optimum physical performance is important among older adults for successful ageing DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2018-33

Physical Performance difference in Community Dwelling Older Adults with Successful Ageing, Usual Ageing and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Physical performance in older adults is known to decline with ageing. However, there is limited information about physical performance among older adults with three different cognitive domains; successful (SA), usual ageing (UA) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in physical performance among older adults in these three categorised cognitive groups. This study is part of a larger scale population based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity among older adults (LRGS TUA). Physical performance were assessed using hand grip (HGT; upper limb strength), 2 minutes step (2MST; endurance), sit to stand (STS; lower limb strength), sit and reach (SRT; lower body flexibility), timed up and go (TUG; mobility and balance), back scratch (BST; upper body flexibility) and gait speed (GS; walking speed) tests. Cognitive status were measured using Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) for global function, Digit Span for attention and working memory; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) for verbal memory. Participants were categorised in three cognitive groups; SA, UA and MCI. SA group were those without diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, cancer, heart diseases and stroke, had normal scores in MMSE (score of &gt;22), optimum self-rated health and no functional limitations measured using Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questionnaire (IADL). Participants with MCI had subjective information of cognitive impairment from caretakers, minimum or low functional limitation, global function with ≤ 19 score on MMSE and 1 SD from below the normal mean of the group for Digit Span and RAVLT. Older adults with UA had minimal or no functional limitation and average scores of MMSE, Digit Span and RAVLT which were between the scores of SA and MCI group. Data was collected among 1291 participants in Phase three of LRGS TUA study. Data was analysed for differences among the three groups using one way ANOVA test. The results showed that majority of older adults were categorized as UA group (71.14%), followed by SA (15.19% ) and MCI (12.72%). Higher performance in physical performance measures except in SRT were demonstrated in SA group compared to MCI and UA groups. Post hoc Sheffe test showed that there was a significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) in the SA and UA group for all tests except for HGT and SRT. MCI and UA groups were significantly different (p &lt; 0.05) in STS, TUG and GST tests. The results suggested that UA and MCI groups had reduced physical performance in lower limb muscle strength, mobility, balance and walking speed compared SA group. Promoting optimum physical performance is important among older adults for successful ageing DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2018-33

The Association between Physical Fitness with Successful Ageing and Risk of Cognitive Impairment among Malaysian Older Adults

The expansion of ageing population has gained much public attention on the importance of healthy and successful ageing, which is absence of major chronic diseases, preserved physiological and cognitive functioning and active engagement with life. Previous studies have found there was a significant correlation between physical fitness with cognition. However, the relationship between physical fitness with successful and unsuccessful cognitive ageing groups are very limited. This study was aimed to identify the significant physical fitness components that contribute in reducing risk of cognitive decline represented as different cognitive ageing groups. A total of 300 community-based elderly aged 60 and above from the states of Selangor, Perak and Kelantan were recruited using multistage random sampling method in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive function of subjects was categorized into three groups, namely Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (n = 100), Usual Ageing (UA) (n = 100) and Successful Ageing (SA) (n = 100) based on defined criteria. Senior Fitness Tests included 2-minute step, handgrip strength, chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, 8 foot up-and-go and back scratch were measured to determine the cardiorespiratory fitness; muscle strength; agility and flexibility of subjects. SA group had significantly better performance than non-SA groups in all fitness components, except for chair sit-and-reach. After controlling for age, gender, education years and smoking status, handgrip strength and chair stand tests were associated with a reduced risk of MCI by 7% [OR: 0.93, 95% C.I: 0.88-0.99, p < 0.05] and 15% [OR: 0.85, 95% C.I: 0.75-0.95, p < 0.01], respectively. These findings suggest that older adults with higher upper and lower body muscular strength could serve as protective factors for cognitive impairment. Further research is warranted to evaluate the mechanism of physical and cognitive decline such as Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) in more detailed for the purpose for promoting healthy and successful ageing. DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2017-1502-13

Identification of Neuroprotective Factors Associated with Successful Ageing and Risk of Cognitive Impairment among Malaysia Older Adults

The increase of ageing population has raised public attention on the concept of successful ageing. Studies have shown that vitamin D, telomere length, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been associated with cognitive function. Therefore, this study aimed to identify neuroprotective factors for cognitive decline in different ageing groups. A total of 300 older adults aged 60 years and above were recruited in this population based cross-sectional study. Participants were categorized into three groups: mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 100), usual ageing (UA) (n = 100), and successful ageing (SA) (n = 100). Dietary vitamin D intake was assessed through Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ). Out of the 300 participants, only 150 were subjected to fasting blood sample collection. These samples were used for serum vitamin D and plasma BDNF measurements. Whole blood telomere length was measured using RT-PCR method. The results show that the reduction of the risk of MCI was achieved by higher serum vitamin D level (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92–0.99, p < 0.05), higher plasma BDNF level (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30–0.88, p < 0.05), and longer telomere (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99, p < 0.001). In conclusion, participants with higher vitamin D level, higher BDNF level, and longer telomere length were more likely to age successfully.

Predictors of poor cognitive status among older Malaysian adults: baseline findings from the LRGS TUA cohort study.

Concepts of successful aging (SA), usual aging (UA), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have been developed to identify older adults at high risk of Alzheimer's diseases (AD), however, the predictors have rarely been investigated in a single study. Thus, this study aims to explore the risk factors of MCI as compared to UA and SA among older adults, in a large community based cohort study in Malaysia. 1993 subjects from four states in Malaysia were recruited. A comprehensive interview-based questionnaire was administered to determine socio-demographic information, followed by assessments to evaluate cognitive function, functional status, dietary intake, lifestyle and psychosocial status. Risk factors of cognitive impairment were assessed using the ordinal logistic regression (OLR). The prevalence of SA, UA and MCI in this study was 11, 73 and 16% respectively. OLR indicated that higher fasting blood sugar, hyperlipidemia, disability, lower education level, not regularly involved in technical based activities, limited use of modern technologies, lower intake of fruits and fresh fruit juices and not practicing calorie restriction were among the risk factors of poor cognitive performance in this study. This study will be a stepping stone for future researchers to develop intervention strategies to prevent cognitive decline.