Showing papers in "Journal of Nutrition Health & Aging in 2012"
TL;DR: This study has validated the FRAIL scale in a late middle-aged African American population and is an excellent screening test for clinicians to identify frail persons at risk of developing disability as well as decline in health functioning and mortality.
Abstract: To validate the FRAIL scale. Longitudinal study. Community. Representative sample of African Americans age 49 to 65 years at onset of study. The 5-item FRAIL scale (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, & Loss of Weight), at baseline and activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), mortality, short physical performance battery (SPPB), gait speed, one-leg stand, grip strength and injurious falls at baseline and 9 years. Blood tests for CRP, SIL6R, STNFR1, STNFR2 and 25 (OH) vitamin D at baseline. Cross-sectionally the FRAIL scale correlated significantly with IADL difficulties, SPPB, grip strength and one-leg stand among participants with no baseline ADL difficulties (N=703) and those outcomes plus gait speed in those with no baseline ADL dependencies (N=883). TNFR1 was increased in pre-frail and frail subjects and CRP in some subgroups. Longitudinally (N=423 with no baseline ADL difficulties or N=528 with no baseline ADL dependencies), and adjusted for the baseline value for each outcome, being pre-frail at baseline significantly predicted future ADL difficulties, worse one-leg stand scores, and mortality in both groups, plus IADL difficulties in the dependence-excluded group. Being frail at baseline significantly predicted future ADL difficulties, IADL difficulties, and mortality in both groups, plus worse SPPB in the dependence-excluded group. This study has validated the FRAIL scale in a late middle-aged African American population. This simple 5-question scale is an excellent screening test for clinicians to identify frail persons at risk of developing disability as well as decline in health functioning and mortality.
1,110 citations
TL;DR: The proposed muscle quality score is based on handgrip strength assessment by hand dynamometer, muscle mass measurement by bioelectrical analysis, and leg muscle power estimation using a chair stand test, and appears to be clinically relevant markers of muscle quality.
Abstract: Aging is associated with decreases in muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle power, with muscle strength declining at a higher rate than muscle mass, but at a lower rate than muscle power. This progressive mismatch suggests a deterioration of muscle “quality” that may lead to functional incapacities. Although it may be difficult to synthesize the concept of muscle quality, the aim of the present paper was to propose a clinical definition of muscle quality in regard to the functional status. Accordingly, the muscle strength or muscle power per unit of muscle mass ratios appear to be clinically relevant markers of muscle quality. Several mechanisms susceptible to influence these ratios have been described, among which age, gender, sex hormones, obesity, physical activity and fibrosis. Various methods to assess muscle quality in both the clinical and research fields have also been listed, with a particular interest for the tests used to measure muscle power. Finally, we proposed a clinical screening tool to detect individuals at risk of functional incapacities. Briefly, the muscle quality score is based on handgrip strength assessment by hand dynamometer, muscle mass measurement by bioelectrical analysis, and leg muscle power estimation using a chair stand test.
191 citations
TL;DR: Increased intake of vegetables is associated with a lower risk of dementia and slower rates of cognitive decline in older age, yet, evidence that this association is also valid for high fruit consumption is lacking.
Abstract: Background
Regular consumption of fruit and vegetables has been considered to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia and age-associated cognitive decline, although the association is currently unsupported by a systematic review of the literature.
189 citations
TL;DR: The Platform clinically evaluates and intervenes on frailty for the first time at the general population-level and may serve as preliminary step towards a wider identification of early signs of the disabling cascade in order to develop more effective preventive interventions.
Abstract: Background
Disability is commonly considered as an irreversible condition of advanced age. Therefore, preventive actions need to be taken before the disabling cascade is fully established, that is in the pre-disability phase defined “frailty syndrome”. The complexity and heterogeneity of frailty requires a clinical approach based on multidimensionality and multidisciplinary. In this paper, we present the main characteristics of the newborn Platform for Evaluation of Frailty and Prevention of Disability (Toulouse, France).
152 citations
TL;DR: Almost a third of hospitalized older patients are frail, and have anemia, higher frequency of CHF, cognitive impairment, longer hospital stay and higher mortality.
Abstract: Introduction
With the onset of frailty, there is often a rapid, progressive, and self-perpetuating downward spiral towards death. Frailty has enormous impact on acute hospital care and has been shown to be a more effective predictor of mortality than conventional clinical measures.
138 citations
TL;DR: An inverse association between serum 25(OH)D levels and the risk of depression is indicated, and further studies are warranted to establish whether this association is causal.
Abstract: No quantitative systematic review or meta-analysis of population-based epidemiological studies has been conducted to assess the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the risk of depression. This study aimed to summarize the current evidence from cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies that have evaluated the association between 25(OH)D levels and the risk of depression. Relevant studies were identified by systematically searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases through April 2012. Cross-sectional and cohort studies that reported adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of interest were included. The reported risk estimates for 25(OH)D categories were recalculated, employing a comprehensive trend estimation from summarized dose-response data. A pooled OR was calculated separately for cross-sectional and cohort studies using random-effects models. In the meta-analysis, 25(OH)D levels were significantly inversely associated with depression in 5 of 11 case-control studies and 2 of 5 cohort studies. The pooled estimate of the adjusted OR of depression in 11 cross-sectional studies (n = 43,137) was 0.96 (95% CI = 0.94–0.99, I2 = 63%) for a 10 ng/ml increase in 25(OH)D levels. The 5 included cohort studies comprised 12,648 participants, primarily elderly individuals, whose serum 25(OH)D levels were measured, and 2,663 experienced depression events during follow-up. The pooled adjusted OR of depression was 0.92 (95% CI = 0.87–0.98, I2 = 50%) for a 10 ng/ml increase in 25(OH)D levels. Our results indicate an inverse association between serum 25(OH)D levels and the risk of depression. Further studies are warranted to establish whether this association is causal.
133 citations
TL;DR: Issues identified in the literature to date that influence nutritional and sensory quality and acceptability of modified texture foods and knowledge gaps and considerations that need to be taken into account when conducting research are identified.
Abstract: Use of modified texture foods (MTF) is common in the geriatric population. There is a potential for increased prevalence of use of MTF due in part to longer survival of persons with dementia, those who have suffered from a stroke, as well as other degenerative diseases that affect chewing and swallowing. Unfortunately, little clinical, nutritional and sensory research has been conducted on MTF to inform practice. This review highlights issues identified in the literature to date that influence nutritional and sensory quality and acceptability of these foods. Use of MTF is highly associated with undernutrition, however causality is difficult to demonstrate due to confounding factors such as the requirement for feeding assistance. Knowledge gaps and considerations that need to be taken into account when conducting research are identified.
133 citations
TL;DR: This review has found consistent evidence of a positive association between birth weight and muscle strength which is maintained across the lifecourse and suggests the potential benefit of an early intervention to help people maintain muscle strength in later life.
Abstract: Objective
Lower muscle strength is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes in later life. The variation in muscle strength between individuals is only partly accounted for by factors in adult life such as body size and physical activity. The aim of this review was to assess the strength of the association between intrauterine development (indicated by birth weight) and subsequent muscle strength.
130 citations
TL;DR: A remarkable prevalence of sarcopenia is observed in the healthy elderly community, especially in females, showing some differences from those in other geographical regions, as compared with studies undertaken in the USA, France and Taiwan.
Abstract: Introduction
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia in a cohort of healthy community-dwelling elderly in an urban area in Barcelona (Spain) for native benchmarks and compare them with those published in other geographical areas.
123 citations
TL;DR: Physical performance, measured by change in walking speed, was significantly affected by fish oil supplementation, suggesting LCPUFA may interact with antioxidants and inflammatory response to impact physical performance.
Abstract: Objectives
Identify relationships and evaluate effects of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) on frailty and physical performance. Design: Randomized, double blind pilot study.
122 citations
TL;DR: Grip strength is a good marker of physical performance in this age group and may be more feasible than completing a short physical performance battery in some clinical settings.
Abstract: There is increasing interest in physical performance as it relates to both the current and future health of older people. It is often characterised using the Short Physical Performance Battery including assessment of gait speed, chair rises and standing balance. However this battery of tests may not be feasible in all clinical settings and simpler measures may be required. As muscle strength is central to physical performance, we explored whether grip strength could be used as a marker of the Short Physical Performance Battery. To examine associations between grip strength and components of the Short Physical Performance Battery in older community dwelling men and women. Grip strength measurement and the Short Physical Performance Battery were completed in 349 men and 280 women aged 63–73 years taking part in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study (HCS). Relationships between grip strength and physical performance (6m timed-up-and-go [TUG], 3m walk, chair rises and standing balance times) were analysed using linear and logistic regression, without and with adjustment for age, anthropometry, lifestyle factors and co-morbidities. Among men, a kilo increase in grip strength was associated with a 0.07s (second) decrease in 6m TUG, a 0.02s decrease in 3m walk time, and a 1% decrease in chair rises time (p<0.001 for all). Among women, a kilo increase in grip strength was associated with a 0.13s decrease in 6m TUG, a 0.03s decrease in 3m walk time, and a 1% decrease in chair rises time (p<0.001). Higher grip strength was associated with better balance among men (p=0.01) but not women (p=0.57). Adjustment for age, anthropometry, lifestyle and co-morbidities did not alter these results. Grip strength is a good marker of physical performance in this age group and may be more feasible than completing a short physical performance battery in some clinical settings.
TL;DR: This study shows the simple and inexpensive way “eating together” may contribute to improve depressive mood of elderly persons, with a strong message that supports of family, friends and neighbors are very important.
Abstract: Eating alone is an emerging social concern these days along with the background of serious aging population growth and increasing number of single-dwellers in Japan. However, little study is focused eating alone and its relation to the health status of community-dwelling elderly.
TL;DR: ISAR is a useful screening tool for frailty and identifies elderly patients at risk of adverse outcomes after an ED visit and can also be used to select high-risk patients more likely to benefit from a geriatric approach or intervention, independently of admission or discharge.
Abstract: Objectives
Frail older adults are at an increased risk for adverse outcomes after an Emergency Department (ED) visit. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been proposed to screen for frailty in the ED, but it is difficult to carry out. We tested whether a CGA-based approach using the Identification of Seniors At Risk (ISAR) screening tool was associated with the brief deficit accumulation index (DAI) of frailty.
TL;DR: Falls and fractures were common in older Chinese adults, and associated with frailty, and only frailty was independently associated with death.
Abstract: Falls are well known to be associated with adverse health outcomes, especially when complicated by fracture. Falls are more common in people who are frail and readily related to several items in the frailty phenotype. Less is known about the relationship between falls and frailty defined as deficit accumulation. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between falls, fractures, and frailty based on deficit accumulation. Representative cohort study, with 8 year follow-up. The Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). 3,257 Chinese people aged 55+ years at baseline. A frailty index (FI) was constructed using 33 health deficits, but excluding falls and fractures. The rates of falls, fractures and death as a function of age and the FI were analyzed. Multivariable models evaluated the relationships between frailty and the risk of recurrent falls, fractures, and mortality adjusting for age, sex, and education. Self or informant reported fall and fracture data were verified against participants’ health records. Of 3,257 participants at baseline (1992), 360 people (11.1%) reported a history of falls, and 238 (7.3%) reported fractures. By eight years, 1,155 people had died (35.3%). The FI was associated with an increased risk of recurrent falls (OR=1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.34–1.76), fractures (OR=1.07; 95% CI=0.94–1.22), and death (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.41–1.60). The FI showed a significant effect on mortality in a multivariate Cox regression model (Hazard Rate=1.29, 95% CI=1.25–1.33). When adjusted for the FI, neither falls nor fractures were associated with mortality. Falls and fractures were common in older Chinese adults, and associated with frailty. Only frailty was independently associated with death.
TL;DR: Frail older adults performed significantly lower than non-frail and pre frail elderly in most cognitive variables, thus, gerontological assessments and interventions should consider that these forms of vulnerability may occur simultaneously.
Abstract: To assess the relationship between the CHS frailty criteria (Fried et al., 2001) and cognitive performance. Cross sectional and population-based. Setting: Ermelino Matarazzo, a poor sub district of the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. 384 community dwelling older adults, 65 and older. Assessment of the CHS frailty criteria, the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (memorization of 10 black and white pictures, verbal fluency animal category, and the Clock Drawing Test) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Frail older adults performed significantly lower than non-frail and pre frail elderly in most cognitive variables. Grip strength and age were associated to MMSE performance, age was associated to delayed memory recall, gait speed was associated to verbal fluency and CDT performance, and education was associated to CDT performance. Being frail may be associated with cognitive decline, thus, gerontological assessments and interventions should consider that these forms of vulnerability may occur simultaneously.
TL;DR: An increased mortality in obese older adults is recorded and waist circumference is an indicator of central adiposity and potentially as good a risk factor for mortality as BMI in obese elderly adults.
Abstract: Introduction
Obesity is a risk factor for chronic diseases and premature mortality, but the extent of these associations among the elderly is under debate. The aim of this systematic literature review (SR) is to collate and critically assess the available information of the impact of obesity on mortality in the elderly.
TL;DR: Geriatric medicine was implemented in many countries in the 1980s due to the discharge of many older adults with multiple pathologies, cognitive impairment and severe disabilities to emergency departments, but today in most of these centers geriatric physicians are dealing with patients with already severe disabilities at a stage which is often not reversible.
Abstract: Geriatric medicine was implemented in many countries in the 1980s due to the discharge of many older adults with multiple pathologies, cognitive impairment and severe disabilities to emergency departments. In fact, at that time nobody was capable or wanted to care about these older adults with severe disabilities. For these reasons, most of the departments of geriatrics were created at that time. Most were based in sub-acute and long term care to take care of these patients. Since then, geriatric medicine has grown in many countries and now there are acute care units, day hospitals, mobile teams and memory clinics worldwide. However, today in most of these centers geriatric physicians are dealing with patients with already severe disabilities at a stage which is often not reversible. Almost 95% of the geriatric force is involved in care for already dependent older adults. We need, of course, to continue to take care of these individuals with severe disabilities, but moreover, we need to take care of the pre-frail and frail older adults. It is an absolute necessity if we want to prevent rapid disability in our aging population, and if we want to anticipate it to promote more efficient care. Pre-frail and frail older adults are those following the Fried
TL;DR: It is shown that fallers are more often malnourished than non-fallers in the univariate analysis and indicated by multivariate analysis that faller could be predicted by the risk factors immobility, malnutrition and high care dependency.
Abstract: To investigate the role of malnutrition, impaired mobility and care dependency in predicting fallers in older Dutch home care clients. This study is a secondary analysis of data of the annual independent National Prevalence Measurement of Care Problems of Maastricht University. The design involves a cross-sectional, multicentre point prevalence measurement (malnutrition, mobility), and a 30 days incidence measurement (falls). Dutch home care organisations. 2971 clients (older than 65 years) from 22 home care organizations participated. A standardized questionnaire was used to register amongst others data of weight, height, number and type of diseases (like for example neurologic diseases, dementia, CVA, COPD, eye/ear disorders, musculoskeletal disorders), nutritional intake, use of psychopharmaca, undesired weight loss, fall history, mobility, and care dependency. The study was able to show that fallers are more often malnourished than non-fallers in the univariate analysis. Most importantly the study indicated by multivariate analysis that fallers could be predicted by the risk factors immobility ((OR 2.516 95% CI 1.144–5.532), high care dependency (OR 1.684 95% CI 1.121–2.532) and malnutrition (OR 1.978 95% CI 1.340–2.920). The findings of this study stress that malnutrition, impaired mobility and care dependency are potential reversible factors related to falls. Therefore early identification and management of nutritional status, impaired mobility and care dependency are important aspects for a possible fall prevention strategy.
TL;DR: Frailty is a stronger predictor of mortality for older Mexican Americans than cognitive impairment, and the relation between frailty and cognitive impairment needs careful analysis in this population to establish pathways increasing mortality and decreasing quality of life.
Abstract: Objective
Examine the association between frailty and cognitive impairment as predictors of mortality over a 10-year period in a selected sample of older Mexican Americans.
TL;DR: A growing number of researches indicates that some probiotic strains may help to maintain the health in old people, suggesting both health and cost-saving benefits in offering fermented dairy products.
Abstract: Changes of the gut microflora in elderly appear to involve a reduction in numbers of healthy bacteria (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) and an increase in numbers of potentially pathogenic species. These changes are generally described as gastrointestinal disorders and infections. This review analyses benefits of probiotics in old people, with particular interesting for the latest researches relevant to elderly people, e.g. trials examining enteric infections, antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, functional bowel problems (constipation and irritable bowel syndrome), inflammatory bowel diseases, stimulation of the immune system and prevention of cancer. A growing number of researches indicates that some probiotic strains may help to maintain the health in old people, suggesting both health and cost-saving benefits in offering fermented dairy products. These benefits include: establishment of balanced intestinal microflora; improving colonization resistance and or prevention of diarrhea; reduction of fecal enzymes; reduction of serum cholesterol; reduction of potential mutagenes; reduction of lactose intolerance; synthesis of vitamins; predigestion of proteins.
TL;DR: Length of stay, weight change and frequency of readmission to hospital were compared between the groups, however length of stay and representations were only reduced in older malnourished patients with an MNA score less than 17.
Abstract: High rates of malnutrition have been reported in the older hospitalized patient population. This is recognised to impact on patient outcomes and health costs. This study aimed to assess the impact of nutrition screening and intervention on these parameters. Randomised controlled prospective study. The study was performed in the acute geriatric medicine wards of the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Australia. All patients admitted to these wards under a geriatrician with an expected length of stay of at least 72 hours were considered for the study. Patients were screened on admission for malnutrition using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool and randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. Intervention patients were immediately commenced on a malnutrition care plan (MCP). Control patients were only commenced on a MCP if referred by clinical staff. Length of stay (LOS), weight change and frequency of readmission to hospital were compared between the groups. 143 patients were screened. 119 were identified as malnourished (MN) or at risk of malnutrition (AR). Overall LOS was not different between the two groups (control v. intervention: 13.4 ± 1.3 days v. 12.5 ± 1.2 days, p=0.64). However there was a significant decrease in LOS in the MN (control v. intervention: 19.5 ± 3days v. 10.6 ± 1.6 days, p=0.013) and a trend to reduced readmissions. There was no difference in weight change over admission between the groups. Without screening, clinical staff identified only a small proportion of malnourished patients (35% of MN and 20% of AR). Malnutrition in the older hospital population is common. Malnutrition screening on hospital admission facilitated targeted nutrition intervention, however length of stay and representations were only reduced in older malnourished patients with an MNA score less than 17.
TL;DR: The quickly and easily administered MNA-SF appears to be a good tool for predicting both under-nutrition and frailty in elderly hospitalised people.
Abstract: The aims of this study were to: (1) determine the prevalence of undemutrition and frailty in hospitalised elderly patients and (2) evaluate the efficacy of both the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) screening tool and the MNA short form (MNA-SF) in identifying frailty. A convenient sample of 100 consecutive patients (75.0 % female) admitted to the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit (GEMU) at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in South Australia. Frailty status was determined using Fried’s frailty criteria and nutritional status by the MNA and MNA-SF. Optimal cut-off scores to predict frailty were determined by Youden’s Index, Receiver Operator Curves (ROC) and area under curve (AUC). Undernutrition was common. Using the MNA, 40.0% of patients were malnourished and 44.0% were at risk of malnutrition. By Fried’s classification, 66.0 % were frail, 30.0 % were pre-frail and 4.0 % robust. The MNA had a specificity of 0.912 and a sensitivity of 0.516 in predicting frailty using the recommended cut-off for malnourishment (< 17). The optimal MNA cut-off for frailty screening was <17.5 with a specificity of 0.912 and sensitivity of 0.591. The MNA-SF predicted frailty with specificity and sensitivity values of 0.794 and 0.636 respectively, using the standard cut-off of < 8. The optimal MNA-SF cut-off score for frailty was < 9, with specificity and sensitivity values of 0.765 and 0.803 respectively and was better than the optimum MNA cut-off in predicting frailty (Youden Index 0.568 vs. 0.503). The quickly and easily administered MNA-SF appears to be a good tool for predicting both under-nutrition and frailty in elderly hospitalised people. Further studies would show whether the MNA-SF could also detect frailty in other populations of older people.
TL;DR: Regular tea drinking is associated with better cognitive function in oldest-old Chinese and similar results were found for current tea drinking status at study baseline year as predictor variable.
Abstract: Objective
We examined the longitudinal association between tea drinking frequency and cognitive function in a large sample of oldest-old Chinese
TL;DR: The hypothesis of multiple hormonal derangement as a better determinant of cognitive decline in older men is introduced.
Abstract: In older men there is a multiple hormonal dysregulation with a relative prevalence of catabolic hormones such as thyroid hormones and cortisol and a decline in anabolic hormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone and insulin like growth factor 1 levels. Many studies suggest that this catabolic milieu is an important predictor of frailty and mortality in older persons. There is a close relationship between frailty and cognitive impairment with studies suggesting that development of frailty is consequence of cognitive impairment and others pointing out that physical frailty is a determinant of cognitive decline. Decline in cognitive function, typically memory, is a major symptom of dementia. The “preclinical phase” of cognitive impairment occurs many years before the onset of dementia. The identification of relevant modifiable factors, including the hormonal dysregulation, may lead to therapeutic strategies for preventing the cognitive dysfunction. There are several mechanisms by which anabolic hormones play a role in neuroprotection and neuromodulation. These hormones facilitate recovery after brain injury and attenuate the neuronal loss. In contrast, elevated thyroid hormones may increase oxidative stress and apoptosis, leading to neuronal damage or death. In this mini review we will address the relationship between low levels of anabolic hormones, changes in thyroid hormones and cognitive function in older men. Then, giving the contradictory data of the literature and the multi-factorial origin of dementia, we will introduce the hypothesis of multiple hormonal derangement as a better determinant of cognitive decline in older men.
TL;DR: Interestingly, the higher percentage of randomizations compared to screened participants is the personal contact source; almost 85 % of screened participants entered in the study; in an equivalent way, Medias and conferences are efficient recruiting sources to enrol volunteers in theStudy.
Abstract: 1680 participants were randomized over the recruitment period in MAPT study. A total of 1290 participants were recruited in the 7 University Hospital centers, and 390 participants in the 6 memory clinics around Toulouse Gerontopole / Alzheimer Disease research clinical center. The first randomization was on May 30, 2008, and the targeted number of randomized participants was reached on February 24, 2011; 2595 subjects were finally screened, of which 1680 fulfilled the eligibility criteria which represents 64.8%. Approximately, one quarter of screened people refused to participate after the detailed presentation of the study and 4.3% were still interested in participating but missed for unknown reasons the baseline visit even after repeated contacts. Of the 1810 subjects who signed the consent for participating to the study at the baseline visit, 130 (7.1%) were excluded because one of the eligibility criteria was not satisfied. Interestingly, the higher percentage of randomizations compared to screened participants is the personal contact source; almost 85 % of screened participants entered in the study. In an equivalent way, Medias and conferences are efficient recruiting sources to enrol volunteers in the study. Unexpectedly, only about 60% of screened participants from the hospital and GP sources were randomized and 33.2% from health care services. Almost a quarter of the randomized participants come from the hospital outpatients clinics and approximately 20% from public conferences. A total of 1128 contacts yielded to 556 screened volunteers and 345 randomized participants in the coordinating center of Toulouse. Thus, 30 % of contacts were recruited.
TL;DR: The present study shows that 2 types of symptoms increased primarily over time: Apathy and Hyperactivity.
Abstract: Introduction
The multicenter PHRC REAL-FR cohort study was designed to follow community-dwelling patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. The present study describes the evolution of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) over 4 years.
TL;DR: It is suggested that tea drinking has beneficial effects on cognitive function of elderly persons and a cause-effect relationship between tea consumption and cognitive decline and dementia could not be drawn given inconsistent findings from only two longitudinal cohort studies.
Abstract: This review summarizes the literature on the association between tea consumption and cognitive health in late life. Population-based studies reviewed in this article suggest that tea drinking has beneficial effects on cognitive function of elderly persons. However, a cause-effect relationship between tea consumption and cognitive decline and dementia could not be drawn given inconsistent findings from only two longitudinal cohort studies. The neuroprotective effects of tea consumption could be due to catechins, L-theanine and other compounds in tea leaves. More longitudinal observational study is needed. Information on life-time tea consumption and blood concentrations of catechins and L-theanine could be collected in future studies.
TL;DR: A negative influence of iron deficiency on cognitive function was revealed and this influence was independent from the presence of anemia and should be a routine part of comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Abstract: Deficiency of iron, which plays an important role in oxygen transport and storage, may lead to cerebral hypoxia and cognitive decline. This relationship which was studied in children and adults was not evaluated in the elderly. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of iron deficiency on cognitive function in the elderly. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a geriatric medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Consecutive 2009 patients admitted to Geriatric Medicine outpatient clinic were examined and 622 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment, cognitive assessment and laboratory analysis including blood count, iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, and transferrin saturation were performed. Mean age of the study group was 72.5±6.5 and 439 (70.6%) were women. MMSE scores were moderately and significantly correlated with iron levels (r=0.33, p<0.001) and transferrin saturation (r=0.32, p<0.001). Transferrin saturation was significantly lower in the patients with dementia (p=0.040). It was found that patients with iron deficiency had lower MMSE scores (p<0.001) and this relationship was also present in patients without anemia (p=0.004). The results of this study revealed a negative influence of iron deficiency on cognitive function and this influence was independent from the presence of anemia. As iron deficiency can be easily diagnosed and treated, detecting its effect on cognitive function is of importance. Screening for iron deficiency and initiating appropriate treatment should be a routine part of comprehensive geriatric assessment.
TL;DR: Lower intakes of vegetables and legumes were associated with cognitive decline among illiterate elderly Chinese, suggesting that dietary factors may be important for prevention cognitive decline.
Abstract: Background
Despite many studies on cognitive function and its influential factors among old population, relatively little research has been designed to study the relationship between dietary intake and cognitive function in elderly.