Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100236
Raghunath Mandi, Dhananjay W Bansod PhD, Amit Kumar Goyal
India experienced considerable changes in social structure and family institutions, which have tremendous implications on the caregiving structure for older adults, especially for those who, due to physical disability, are unable to care for themselves. As India navigates the complexities of an aging population, rethinking family care is crucial to ensuring the well-being and dignity of older adults. Using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), this study examined the pattern of family care provisions, with specific to the role of living arrangements, the impact of spousal presence, and children’s proximity on caregiving choices using logistic regression. Findings highlighted only one-fourth of older adults receive care from families. Spouses continued to play a major role in caregiving, even if they were co-residing with children. The presence of extended family members & proximity to children reduces the complete dependence on children for care. Family dynamics in care provision are shaped by various interconnected factors. These factors influence the type, intensity, and emotional appearance of caregiving. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for families and policymakers in addressing the challenges and ensuring that older adults receive the care and support they need.
{"title":"Rethinking family care: How changing family dynamics are reshaping support for older adults in india?","authors":"Raghunath Mandi, Dhananjay W Bansod PhD, Amit Kumar Goyal","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>India experienced considerable changes in social structure and family institutions, which have tremendous implications on the caregiving structure for older adults, especially for those who, due to physical disability, are unable to care for themselves. As India navigates the complexities of an aging population, rethinking family care is crucial to ensuring the well-being and dignity of older adults. Using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), this study examined the pattern of family care provisions, with specific to the role of living arrangements, the impact of spousal presence, and children’s proximity on caregiving choices using logistic regression. Findings highlighted only one-fourth of older adults receive care from families. Spouses continued to play a major role in caregiving, even if they were co-residing with children. The presence of extended family members & proximity to children reduces the complete dependence on children for care. Family dynamics in care provision are shaped by various interconnected factors. These factors influence the type, intensity, and emotional appearance of caregiving. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for families and policymakers in addressing the challenges and ensuring that older adults receive the care and support they need.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100236"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep medications are widely prescribed to older adults, but their effects on cognitive health remain a concern. Prior studies often relied on self-report or administrative data, which may limit clinical accuracy. This study aimed to examine the association between sleep medication use and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults using direct clinical assessment.
Methods
Current sleep medication of participants was verified using personal medication record booklets. Cognitive function was assessed through face-to-face structured interviews and neuropsychological testing. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Statistically, trend and binomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between benzodiazepine (BZD) and/or Z-drug (ZD) use and cognitive impairment.
Results
A total of 869 participants were enrolled, and 12.5% of them were taking sleep medications. Cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment or dementia, was present in 35.1%. Trend analysis showed no association between sleep disturbance and cognitive impairment, but BZD and/or ZD use was significantly associated (p = 0.003). Multivariable-adjusted analysis showed that BZD and/or ZD users had 1.66-fold higher odds of cognitive impairment (95% confidence interval: 1.07 - 2.56, p = 0.023).
Conclusions
BZD and/or ZD use was independently associated with cognitive impairment in this community-based cohort. Even with direct clinical evaluation and face-to-face assessment, this relationship remained consistent with previous studies, reinforcing the evidence that sleep medication use is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults.
{"title":"Sleep medication use and higher odds of cognitive impairment in older adults: insights from the community-based YAHABA Study","authors":"Yuriko Sato, Hiroshi Akasaka, Kazuki Hosokawa, Takashi Yamaguchi, Ryota Nozaki, Takahiro Terauchi, Eisuke Hirai, Mitsunobu Sato, Naoki Ishizuka, Tetsuya Maeda","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Sleep medications are widely prescribed to older adults, but their effects on cognitive health remain a concern. Prior studies often relied on self-report or administrative data, which may limit clinical accuracy. This study aimed to examine the association between sleep medication use and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults using direct clinical assessment.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Current sleep medication of participants was verified using personal medication record booklets. Cognitive function was assessed through face-to-face structured interviews and neuropsychological testing. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Statistically, trend and binomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between benzodiazepine (BZD) and/or Z-drug (ZD) use and cognitive impairment.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 869 participants were enrolled, and 12.5% of them were taking sleep medications. Cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment or dementia, was present in 35.1%. Trend analysis showed no association between sleep disturbance and cognitive impairment, but BZD and/or ZD use was significantly associated (<em>p</em> = 0.003). Multivariable-adjusted analysis showed that BZD and/or ZD users had 1.66-fold higher odds of cognitive impairment (95% confidence interval: 1.07 - 2.56, <em>p</em> = 0.023).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>BZD and/or ZD use was independently associated with cognitive impairment in this community-based cohort. Even with direct clinical evaluation and face-to-face assessment, this relationship remained consistent with previous studies, reinforcing the evidence that sleep medication use is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Digital screen use is increasingly common among older adults, yet its implications for balance and postural control are not well defined. Age-related sensory, vestibular and cognitive changes may increase vulnerability to balance disturbances during screen-based activities.
Objective
To map and describe how screen exposure has been explored in relation to balance-related outcomes in community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and the PRISMA-ScR framework. Systematic searches of eight electronic databases identified studies published in English between December 2000 and June 2024. Observational and experimental studies assessing any form of digital screen exposure in relation to balance, gait, vestibulo-ocular function, or dizziness in adults aged ≥60 years were eligible. Data were charted descriptively to map exposure types, balance domains, measurement tools, and methodological characteristics.
Results
Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Screen exposures included total daily screen time, smartphone use during walking, sustained near-focus visual tasks, and immersive or visually provocative digital environments. Balance-related outcomes encompassed postural sway, gait parameters, dynamic visual acuity, vestibulo-ocular reflex function, and self-reported dizziness. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across exposure definitions, measurement tools, and study designs. Most evidence was cross-sectional or based on short-duration experimental protocols.
Conclusion
Evidence examining screen exposure and balance in older adults is limited and methodologically diverse. This scoping review provides a structured mapping of the existing literature rather than an assessment of effects or causality, highlighting gaps to inform future research on digital behaviour and balance in ageing populations.
{"title":"Postural instability in the digital age: A scoping review of screen exposure and balance outcomes in community-dwelling older adults","authors":"Tamanna Sharma BPT, (MPT) , Nidhi Sharma BPT, MPT, PhD , Simranjeet Kaur BPT, MPT , Parveen Kumar BPT, MPT , Preeti Kapri BPT, MPT","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100242","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100242","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Digital screen use is increasingly common among older adults, yet its implications for balance and postural control are not well defined. Age-related sensory, vestibular and cognitive changes may increase vulnerability to balance disturbances during screen-based activities.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To map and describe how screen exposure has been explored in relation to balance-related outcomes in community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and the PRISMA-ScR framework. Systematic searches of eight electronic databases identified studies published in English between December 2000 and June 2024. Observational and experimental studies assessing any form of digital screen exposure in relation to balance, gait, vestibulo-ocular function, or dizziness in adults aged ≥60 years were eligible. Data were charted descriptively to map exposure types, balance domains, measurement tools, and methodological characteristics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Screen exposures included total daily screen time, smartphone use during walking, sustained near-focus visual tasks, and immersive or visually provocative digital environments. Balance-related outcomes encompassed postural sway, gait parameters, dynamic visual acuity, vestibulo-ocular reflex function, and self-reported dizziness. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across exposure definitions, measurement tools, and study designs. Most evidence was cross-sectional or based on short-duration experimental protocols.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Evidence examining screen exposure and balance in older adults is limited and methodologically diverse. This scoping review provides a structured mapping of the existing literature rather than an assessment of effects or causality, highlighting gaps to inform future research on digital behaviour and balance in ageing populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100243
Michael E. Kalu , Ajayi K. Oladimeji , Israel Adandom , Nusrat S. Nessa , Chigozie L.J. Ugwu , Chukwuebuka P. Onyekere , Francis O. Kolawole , Henrietta Fawole
Purpose
This study aimed to test whether the 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) can substitute for the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) when estimating functional capacity in Nigerian older adults and to identify physiological mediators or moderators of that relationship.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited 409 adults ≥ 60 years who completed both walk tests; gait speed was the primary outcome. Age, sex, body-mass index (BMI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores, and estimated VO₂ max were also recorded.
Results
This study indicated that 2MWT gait speed strongly predicted 6MWT gait speed (β = 0.547, p < 0.001), accounting for 35 % of its variance. Age, cognition, BMI, and VO₂ max did not mediate this association, but VO₂ max moderated it (interaction β = 0.0175, p < 0.05). Bland–Altman analysis showed a small systematic underestimation by the 2MWT, with acceptable agreement when mean speeds were 0.7–1.2 m s⁻¹.
Conclusion
We concluded that the 2MWT could offer a time-efficient proxy for the 6MWT in low-resource settings, although clinicians should interpret results cautiously in individuals with low aerobic fitness.
目的本研究旨在测试2分钟步行测试（2MWT）是否可以替代6分钟步行测试（6MWT）来估计尼日利亚老年人的功能能力，并确定这种关系的生理介质或调节因子。方法：我们进行了一项横断面研究，招募了409名≥60岁的成年人，他们完成了两项步行测试；步态速度是主要观察指标。此外，还记录了年龄、性别、身体质量指数（BMI）、蒙特利尔认知能力评价分数、VO₂max预测值等。结果本研究表明，2MWT步态速度对6MWT步态速度有较强的预测作用（β = 0.547, p < 0.001），占方差的35%。年龄、认知、BMI和vo2 max没有介导这种关联，但vo2 max调节了这种关联（交互作用β = 0.0175, p < 0.05）。Bland-Altman分析显示2MWT有一个小的系统性低估，当平均速度为0.7-1.2 m s时，结果是可以接受的。我们的结论是，在低资源环境下，2MWT可以作为6MWT的时间效率代表，尽管临床医生在低有氧适应度的个体中应谨慎解释结果。
{"title":"Evaluating the two-minute walk test as a time-efficient alternative to the six-minute walk test in Nigerian older adults: Insights from an exploratory mediation and moderation analysis","authors":"Michael E. Kalu , Ajayi K. Oladimeji , Israel Adandom , Nusrat S. Nessa , Chigozie L.J. Ugwu , Chukwuebuka P. Onyekere , Francis O. Kolawole , Henrietta Fawole","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to test whether the 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) can substitute for the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) when estimating functional capacity in Nigerian older adults and to identify physiological mediators or moderators of that relationship.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited 409 adults ≥ 60 years who completed both walk tests; gait speed was the primary outcome. Age, sex, body-mass index (BMI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores, and estimated VO₂ max were also recorded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study indicated that 2MWT gait speed strongly predicted 6MWT gait speed (β = 0.547, p < 0.001), accounting for 35 % of its variance. Age, cognition, BMI, and VO₂ max did not mediate this association, but VO₂ max moderated it (interaction β = 0.0175, p < 0.05). Bland–Altman analysis showed a small systematic underestimation by the 2MWT, with acceptable agreement when mean speeds were 0.7–1.2 m s⁻¹.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We concluded that the 2MWT could offer a time-efficient proxy for the 6MWT in low-resource settings, although clinicians should interpret results cautiously in individuals with low aerobic fitness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100249
Natan Feter , Marcos Cirilo Sana Monteiro , Leticia Vitória Mourão Meira Pereira , Eduarda da Cunha Policarpo , Samuel Carvalho Dumith
Objectives
Population aging in Brazil has led to a significant increase in the burden of neurological disorders. This study aimed to examine the association of demographic aging with this burden.
Study design
An ecological temporal-trend study.
Methods
This time-series ecological study analyzed neurological disorder burden and population aging across 27 Brazilian states (1991–2023). Data from the Global Burden of Disease (IHME) and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) were used. We calculated annual percentage changes (APCs) for five neurological indicators and population aging. Prais-Winsten regression analyzed aging trends, and linear regression assessed its association with neurological disorders, adjusting for covariates.
Results
The proportion of older adults (≥60 years) in Brazil more than doubled from 6.6% in 1991 to 14.2% in 2022. Concomitantly, all indicators of neurological disorders, including mortality (a 34.6% increase) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs, a 20.5% increase), exhibited upward trends. Our findings reveal that aging is an independent predictor of worsening health indicators; each one-percentage-point increase in the elderly population was associated with a 2.9% rise in mortality and a 1.8% increase in DALYs.
Conclusion
Population aging is a significant and independent indicator of worsening neurological health in Brazil, posing critical public health challenges that require coordinated action. It is essential to strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) to address the demand for specialized neurological care.
{"title":"What is the burden of neurological disorders associated to population aging in Brazil? ecological temporal-trend study","authors":"Natan Feter , Marcos Cirilo Sana Monteiro , Leticia Vitória Mourão Meira Pereira , Eduarda da Cunha Policarpo , Samuel Carvalho Dumith","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100249","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100249","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Population aging in Brazil has led to a significant increase in the burden of neurological disorders. This study aimed to examine the association of demographic aging with this burden.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>An ecological temporal-trend study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This time-series ecological study analyzed neurological disorder burden and population aging across 27 Brazilian states (1991–2023). Data from the Global Burden of Disease (IHME) and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) were used. We calculated annual percentage changes (APCs) for five neurological indicators and population aging. Prais-Winsten regression analyzed aging trends, and linear regression assessed its association with neurological disorders, adjusting for covariates.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The proportion of older adults (≥60 years) in Brazil more than doubled from 6.6% in 1991 to 14.2% in 2022. Concomitantly, all indicators of neurological disorders, including mortality (a 34.6% increase) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs, a 20.5% increase), exhibited upward trends. Our findings reveal that aging is an independent predictor of worsening health indicators; each one-percentage-point increase in the elderly population was associated with a 2.9% rise in mortality and a 1.8% increase in DALYs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Population aging is a significant and independent indicator of worsening neurological health in Brazil, posing critical public health challenges that require coordinated action. It is essential to strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) to address the demand for specialized neurological care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100249"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100232
Neelu Jain Gupta , Priyanka Grover , Nisha Singh
The present study depicts differences in sleep behavior, activity, and light exposure of homemakers and office-going women of urban India using a questionnaire survey, actigraphy, and urinary melatonin assay. Self-reported surveys filled by 1316 office-going and 1393 homemaker women (ages 18–79 years) comprised 7 brief questions, viz. body mass index (BMI), work-hours, sleep characteristics etc. We predicted that differences in sleep timings and daily activity patterns of urban Indian women were related to occupational routines, specifically among office-going and homemaker women. Results suggested associativity and relative risk for altered sleep length and recreation with age and occupation. Sleep onset in young and old office-going women was delayed, not in the middle-aged. Objective measurement of sleep, daily activity, and light exposure suggested disrupted Sunday activity than weekdays. Externally managed work-rest cycles in office-goers during weekdays consolidated daily activity patterns. During weekdays, homemakers exhibited greater intraday activity variability. Photometric luminance data using actigraphy revealed homemakers experienced greater exposure to brighter morning light intensities compared to office-going women, although urinary melatonin levels did not differ among groups. The variation in associativity of light-activity during weekdays depicted better light-activity coupling in homemakers. Our observation of delayed sleep onset, in office-goers needs attention because it is an established risk factor to various lifestyle disorders.. Using multimodal methodology of subjective and objective measures, our study validates age-related sleep onset timing, a hidden factor in contemporary health issues.
{"title":"Sleep timing worsening with age? Visit outdoor-light daily: A cross-sectional study of homemakers and office-going women","authors":"Neelu Jain Gupta , Priyanka Grover , Nisha Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study depicts differences in sleep behavior, activity, and light exposure of homemakers and office-going women of urban India using a questionnaire survey, actigraphy, and urinary melatonin assay. Self-reported surveys filled by 1316 office-going and 1393 homemaker women (ages 18–79 years) comprised 7 brief questions, viz. body mass index (BMI), work-hours, sleep characteristics etc. We predicted that differences in sleep timings and daily activity patterns of urban Indian women were related to occupational routines, specifically among office-going and homemaker women. Results suggested associativity and relative risk for altered sleep length and recreation with age and occupation. Sleep onset in young and old office-going women was delayed, not in the middle-aged. Objective measurement of sleep, daily activity, and light exposure suggested disrupted Sunday activity than weekdays. Externally managed work-rest cycles in office-goers during weekdays consolidated daily activity patterns. During weekdays, homemakers exhibited greater intraday activity variability. Photometric luminance data using actigraphy revealed homemakers experienced greater exposure to brighter morning light intensities compared to office-going women, although urinary melatonin levels did not differ among groups. The variation in associativity of light-activity during weekdays depicted better light-activity coupling in homemakers. Our observation of delayed sleep onset, in office-goers needs attention because it is an established risk factor to various lifestyle disorders.. Using multimodal methodology of subjective and objective measures, our study validates age-related sleep onset timing, a hidden factor in contemporary health issues.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145618484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100241
Ayushi Das , Preeti Dhillon
In the digital age, social media platforms such as YouTube have become vital sources of health information and public discourse. This study analyses YouTube comments to explore public knowledge, perceptions, and emotional responses to three geriatric diseases dementia, hypertension and diabetes. Comments were collected via YouTube API v3 from the top 100 most-viewed videos for each disease, totalling 129,613 comments. Keywords were selected using Google Trends. After extensive preprocessing, word cloud analysis, sentiment analysis and topic modelling (with parameters optimized through grid search and coherence scores) were performed, identifying five coherent thematic clusters for each disease. Topic modelling identified five key themes per disease: dementia discussions centred on emotions (29 %), caregiving (27 %), political discourse (17 %), fear of cognitive decline (16 %), and diet (11 %). Hypertension topics focused on treatment searches (28.9 %), lifestyle and diet (26.4 %), medication and comorbidities (17 %), knowledge about blood pressure (16.2 %), and work/kidney disease (11.5 %). Diabetes conversations emphasized Indian dietary ingredients (37.2 %), diet-insulin-blood pressure interactions (20.7 %), general diet (16.8 %), weight management (13.3 %), and emotions/spirituality (12 %). Sentiment analysis showed mostly neutral comments across diseases, with 81.4 % neutrality in hypertension treatment searches and 89.8 % neutrality in diabetes dietary ingredients. Dementia caregiving had the highest negative sentiment (43.5 %), while dementia emotions scored 46 % positive sentiment. The findings suggest that while hypertension and diabetes prompt neutral, disease management focused discussions, dementia elicits stronger emotional responses and misinformation. This highlights the need for targeted public health interventions and support systems to address the unique challenges of less prevalent neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia.
在数字时代，YouTube等社交媒体平台已成为健康信息和公共话语的重要来源。这项研究分析了YouTube上的评论，以探索公众对痴呆、高血压和糖尿病三种老年疾病的知识、认知和情绪反应。评论是通过YouTube API v3从每种疾病的前100个观看次数最多的视频中收集的，共有129,613条评论。使用谷歌Trends选择关键词。经过广泛的预处理，进行了词云分析、情感分析和主题建模（通过网格搜索和连贯分数优化参数），为每种疾病确定了五个连贯的主题聚类。主题建模确定了每种疾病的五个关键主题：以情绪为中心的痴呆症讨论（29%）、护理（27%）、政治话语（17%）、对认知能力下降的恐惧（16%）和饮食（11%）。高血压主题集中在治疗搜索（28.9%），生活方式和饮食（26.4%），药物和合并症（17%），血压知识（16.2%）和工作/肾脏疾病（11.5%）。糖尿病对话强调印度饮食成分（37.2%）、饮食-胰岛素-血压相互作用（20.7%）、一般饮食（16.8%）、体重管理（13.3%）和情绪/精神（12%）。情感分析显示，疾病之间的评论大多是中性的，在高血压治疗搜索中有81.4%的中性，在糖尿病饮食成分中有89.8%的中性。痴呆症护理的负面情绪最高（43.5%），而痴呆症情绪的正面情绪为46%。研究结果表明，虽然高血压和糖尿病会引发中性的、以疾病管理为重点的讨论，但痴呆症会引发更强烈的情绪反应和错误信息。这突出表明需要有针对性的公共卫生干预和支持系统，以应对痴呆等不太普遍的神经退行性疾病的独特挑战。
{"title":"Public narratives of geriatric diseases in the digital space: A topic modelling analysis of YouTube comments","authors":"Ayushi Das , Preeti Dhillon","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100241","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100241","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the digital age, social media platforms such as YouTube have become vital sources of health information and public discourse. This study analyses YouTube comments to explore public knowledge, perceptions, and emotional responses to three geriatric diseases dementia, hypertension and diabetes. Comments were collected via YouTube API v3 from the top 100 most-viewed videos for each disease, totalling 129,613 comments. Keywords were selected using Google Trends. After extensive preprocessing, word cloud analysis, sentiment analysis and topic modelling (with parameters optimized through grid search and coherence scores) were performed, identifying five coherent thematic clusters for each disease. Topic modelling identified five key themes per disease: dementia discussions centred on emotions (29 %), caregiving (27 %), political discourse (17 %), fear of cognitive decline (16 %), and diet (11 %). Hypertension topics focused on treatment searches (28.9 %), lifestyle and diet (26.4 %), medication and comorbidities (17 %), knowledge about blood pressure (16.2 %), and work/kidney disease (11.5 %). Diabetes conversations emphasized Indian dietary ingredients (37.2 %), diet-insulin-blood pressure interactions (20.7 %), general diet (16.8 %), weight management (13.3 %), and emotions/spirituality (12 %). Sentiment analysis showed mostly neutral comments across diseases, with 81.4 % neutrality in hypertension treatment searches and 89.8 % neutrality in diabetes dietary ingredients. Dementia caregiving had the highest negative sentiment (43.5 %), while dementia emotions scored 46 % positive sentiment. The findings suggest that while hypertension and diabetes prompt neutral, disease management focused discussions, dementia elicits stronger emotional responses and misinformation. This highlights the need for targeted public health interventions and support systems to address the unique challenges of less prevalent neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100241"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100238
Chukwuebuka Prince Onyekere , Daniel Rayner , Francis Kolawole , Perpetua Chinenye Obi , Peace Temitope Kumapayi , Chigozie Louisa J. Ugwu , Michael Ebe Kalu
Background and objectives
Many gerontological outcome measures developed and validated in advanced countries may produce unreliable results in Nigeria, necessitating psychometric evaluation of these tools. This study provides the foundational psychometric analysis of internal consistency across 17 common gerontological measures among community-dwelling older adults in Nigeria.
Research design and methods
This is a secondary analysis of 409 (83.9 % females) Nigerian older adults (mean age 67.96±6.67 years) who responded to 17 measures evaluating cognitive, environmental, physical, psychological, and social outcomes. Cronbach’s alpha was interpreted as ≥0.7 (high), close to 0.6 (moderate) and <0.5 (low). Item-test and item-rest correlations were considered acceptable if greater than 0.5 and >0.3, respectively.
Results
Mini-Mental State Examination, Memory Assessment Clinic Questionnaire, Attention Assessment Scale, Neighbourhood Satisfaction Subscale of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS), Life-space Mobility Questionnaire, 9-Item Modified Physical Literacy Instrument, Geriatric Anxiety Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Fall Efficacy Scale- International, Keele Assessment of Participation, University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connectedness subscale of Social Isolation Scale (SIS) demonstrated high internal consistency (≥0.7). Similarly, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the belongingness subscale of SIS demonstrated moderate internal consistency (close to 0.6), while other NEWS subscales, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) had low internal consistency (<0.5).
Conclusion
Fourteen measures demonstrated strong internal consistency in this sample, providing preliminary support for their potential suitability in Nigerian older adult population. A complete validation of reliability will require subsequent analyses of dimensionality, test–retest consistency, and measurement invariance across relevant populations to finalise confident use.
{"title":"A foundational analysis of internal consistency for 17 geriatric/gerontological outcome measures in Nigerian older adults: Do we need further psychometric evaluation?","authors":"Chukwuebuka Prince Onyekere , Daniel Rayner , Francis Kolawole , Perpetua Chinenye Obi , Peace Temitope Kumapayi , Chigozie Louisa J. Ugwu , Michael Ebe Kalu","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and objectives</h3><div>Many gerontological outcome measures developed and validated in advanced countries may produce unreliable results in Nigeria, necessitating psychometric evaluation of these tools. This study provides the foundational psychometric analysis of internal consistency across 17 common gerontological measures among community-dwelling older adults in Nigeria.</div></div><div><h3>Research design and methods</h3><div>This is a secondary analysis of 409 (83.9 % females) Nigerian older adults (mean age 67.96±6.67 years) who responded to 17 measures evaluating cognitive, environmental, physical, psychological, and social outcomes. Cronbach’s alpha was interpreted as ≥0.7 (high), close to 0.6 (moderate) and <0.5 (low). Item-test and item-rest correlations were considered acceptable if greater than 0.5 and >0.3, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mini-Mental State Examination, Memory Assessment Clinic Questionnaire, Attention Assessment Scale, Neighbourhood Satisfaction Subscale of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS), Life-space Mobility Questionnaire, 9-Item Modified Physical Literacy Instrument, Geriatric Anxiety Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Fall Efficacy Scale- International, Keele Assessment of Participation, University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connectedness subscale of Social Isolation Scale (SIS) demonstrated high internal consistency (≥0.7). Similarly, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the belongingness subscale of SIS demonstrated moderate internal consistency (close to 0.6), while other NEWS subscales, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) had low internal consistency (<0.5).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Fourteen measures demonstrated strong internal consistency in this sample, providing preliminary support for their potential suitability in Nigerian older adult population. A complete validation of reliability will require subsequent analyses of dimensionality, test–retest consistency, and measurement invariance across relevant populations to finalise confident use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100238"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100246
Liang-Kung Chen
{"title":"Preserving evidence integrity in observational epidemiology","authors":"Liang-Kung Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2026.100246","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"3 1","pages":"Article 100246"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147384793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100211
Manacy Pai , T. Muhammad , Waquar Ahmed
Background
We examine the associations between rural-urban dwelling at different life stages, transitions across these settings, and multimorbidity among older adults in India.
Methods
Data are from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), with a sample of 28,427 older adults aged 60+ with complete information on life course rural-urban residential status. Multivariable logistic regression models are used to examine the association between rural-urban residence during childhood, adulthood, and later life, as well as life course transitions across these settings and multimorbidity.
Results
Majority of older Indians (69.35 %) were consistent rural dwellers, while 18.22 % always lived in urban areas. Overall, 24.83 % reported multimorbidity. In the fully adjusted models, older men with urban residence in childhood, adulthood, or later life had higher odds of multimorbidity than rural peers; these associations were largely insignificant for women, except for those currently living in urban areas. After adjusting for age, sex, education, and work, those with urban-urban-rural and rural-urban-urban transitions reported higher odds of multimorbidity than consistent rural dwellers, though these became insignificant when further covariates were considered. However, consistent urban dwellers and those with rural-rural-urban transitions continued to show significantly higher odds of multimorbidity than counterparts who only ever lived in rural settings.
Conclusions
Older Indians with consistent urban residence and later-life rural-to-urban transitions were more likely to report multimorbidity than rural dwellers. Moreover, this association varied by gender, with childhood and adulthood urban residence linked to higher risk of multimorbidity only among men.
{"title":"Life course rural-urban residence and multimorbidity among older adults in India","authors":"Manacy Pai , T. Muhammad , Waquar Ahmed","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100211","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100211","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>We examine the associations between rural-urban dwelling at different life stages, transitions across these settings, and multimorbidity among older adults in India.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data are from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), with a sample of 28,427 older adults aged 60+ with complete information on life course rural-urban residential status. Multivariable logistic regression models are used to examine the association between rural-urban residence during childhood, adulthood, and later life, as well as life course transitions across these settings and multimorbidity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Majority of older Indians (69.35 %) were consistent rural dwellers, while 18.22 % always lived in urban areas. Overall, 24.83 % reported multimorbidity. In the fully adjusted models, older men with urban residence in childhood, adulthood, or later life had higher odds of multimorbidity than rural peers; these associations were largely insignificant for women, except for those currently living in urban areas. After adjusting for age, sex, education, and work, those with urban-urban-rural and rural-urban-urban transitions reported higher odds of multimorbidity than consistent rural dwellers, though these became insignificant when further covariates were considered. However, consistent urban dwellers and those with rural-rural-urban transitions continued to show significantly higher odds of multimorbidity than counterparts who only ever lived in rural settings.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Older Indians with consistent urban residence and later-life rural-to-urban transitions were more likely to report multimorbidity than rural dwellers. Moreover, this association varied by gender, with childhood and adulthood urban residence linked to higher risk of multimorbidity only among men.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"2 4","pages":"Article 100211"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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