Geriatrics & Gerontology International最新文献

Aim: Based on the Job Demands-Resources model, this study aimed to assess the predictive effect of workload on emotional exhaustion and test the buffering effect of three types of work resources (workplace cohesion, work control, and workplace support) on the relationship between workload and emotional exhaustion among older Japanese assistant care workers.

Methods: We analyzed data from a national survey on the work features and work-related outcomes of 1601 older assistant care workers working in geriatric health services facilities in Japan. Demographic characteristics, workload, work resources, and emotional exhaustion were analyzed. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis and simple slope test were conducted.

Results: Workload had a significant main effect in predicting emotional exhaustion (β = 0.337, P < 0.001). Workplace cohesion buffered the negative effect of workload on emotional exhaustion (interaction between workload and workplace cohesion: β = -0.097, P = 0.002). Work control (interaction between workload and work control: β = -0.015, P = 0.585) and workplace support (interaction between workload and workplace support: β = 0.025, P = 0.391) had no buffering effect on the negative impact of workload on emotional exhaustion.

Conclusions: Regulating workload and promoting workplace cohesion might be effective strategies for preventing burnout among elderly workers. Investigations into the occupational stress of elderly workers from diverse cultures and work contexts are needed. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify opportunities for more effective measures. We analyzed sex-, age- and season-specific trends in unintentional accidental deaths from stumbling falls, bathtub drowning, food choking and traffic injuries among older adults in Japan.

Methods: Death rates from major unintentional accidents were analyzed by sex, month and 5-year age groups (aged ≥50 years) based on a custom-made aggregation of data from the Vital Statistics survey (2008-2022) in compliance with the Statistics Act.

Results: From 2008 to 2022, death rates from the 4 major unintentional accidental causes (11 354 and 11 374 deaths in 19 408 000 men and 24 272 000 women aged ≥60 in 2022) were obviously higher among older men than older women, except for notably high death rates from bathtub drowning among women aged 75-84 years. Significant increases in death rates from stumbling falls were observed in men and women aged ≥85 years, with significant decreases among men aged 60-74 years and women aged 65-74 years. Significant increases in bathtub drowning death rates were observed among men aged 90-94 and ≥100 years, as well as among women aged 90-99 years. Bathtub drowning death rates rose with age but peaked in women aged 85-89 years. Both bathtub drowning and food choking deaths were more frequent during the winter season.

Conclusions: Accidental deaths from stumbling falls and bathtub drowning continue to rise among older Japanese adults in some age groups. Notably, deaths from bathtub drowning were distinctively higher among women aged in their 70s and 80s, possibly including apparently healthy women, during the winter season. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of aging on brain volume among community residents in Japan, focusing on trends over time and specific brain structures.

Methods: We analyzed data from the fourth survey (2015-2016) of the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability project, encompassing 2146 community residents from Japan's mountainous and coastal regions. A total of 1755 participants (81.8% of the baseline population) underwent extensive data collection including lifestyle and health questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and brain magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging data were processed to examine correlations between total brain volume, gray matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), cerebrospinal fluid volume and participant age.

Results: Analysis showed significant sex differences in total brain volume, with GMV demonstrating a strong negative correlation with age - more pronounced than the moderate negative correlation seen in WMV. Cerebrospinal fluid volume exhibited a strong positive correlation with age. Notably, specific brain regions such as the bilateral amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus and primary motor cortex showed significant age-related volume reductions.

Conclusion: This study confirms that GMV and WMV are smaller in older individuals in the Japanese population, with more pronounced differences in GMV. The amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus and primary motor cortex were particularly affected. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of exercise versus without-exercise group on global cognitive function, executive function, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cognitive impairment.

Methods: A systematic search of Cqvip, SinoMed, Wanfang Data, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Pubmed, Lippincott, Web of Science and Scopus was carried out. Randomized control trials were selected. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The random-effects model was used to obtain the pooled estimates.

Results: Eight trials with 884 participants were included. Exercise could significantly improve global cognitive function (standardized mean difference 0.82, 95% CI 0.53-1.12), executive function measured by the Trail-Marking Test part B (mean difference -20.43, 95% CI -36.20, -4.66), glycated hemoglobin A1c (%; mean difference -0.58, 95% CI -0.88, -0.29) and fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL; mean difference -17.61, 95% CI -32.67, -2.54).

Conclusions: Exercise can improve cognitive function, glycated hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with cognitive impairment. Additional studies with higher methodological quality are expected to draw more definite conclusions. This finding could provide a reference for clinical decision-making and guide future research initiatives. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Aim: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a common problem among older adults and contributes to adverse health outcomes such as cognitive impairment. However, the neural mechanisms underlying ARHL remain unclear. We aimed to reveal the structural and metabolic (i.e., neural activity) correlates of ARHL using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET).

Methods: A total of 162 community-dwelling older adults without cerebral disorders or cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score < 24) were included in this study. Auditory acuity was measured using a pure-tone average (PTA) of hearing thresholds for the better-hearing ear for 0.5-4-kHz tones. ARHL was defined as a PTA of >40 dB (i.e., greater than moderate hearing loss). The participants then underwent MRI and FDG-PET at rest to assess changes in brain structure and activity associated with ARHL.

Results: Among the 162 participants, 27 (16.6%) had ARHL. A region-of-interest analysis focusing on the bilateral superior temporal gyrus showed significantly lower glucose metabolism in this region, including in the auditory cortex (BA 41 and 42), in participants with ARHL than in those without ARHL. In contrast, no significant structural differences were observed between the groups.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that, prior to structural changes, the effects of ARHL may manifest in neural activity, which is strongly reflected in the regions involved in auditory processing. It is possible that ARHL first alters neural activity in auditory-related regions owing to reduced auditory stimulation. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

In this review, we review the current status of biomarkers for aging and possible perspectives on anti-aging or rejuvenation from the standpoint of biomarkers. Aging is observed in all cells and organs, and we focused on research into senescence in the skin, musculoskeletal system, immune system, and cardiovascular system. Commonly used biomarkers include SA-βgal, cell-cycle markers, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and DNA-damage-related markers. In addition, each organ or cell has its specific markers. Generally speaking, a combination of biomarkers is required to define age-related changes. When considering the translation of basic research, biomarkers that are highly sensitive, highly specific, with validation and reliability as well as being non-invasive are optimal; however, currently reported markers do not fulfill the prerequisite for biomarkers. In addition, rodent models of aging do not necessarily represent human aging, and markers in rodent or cell models are not applicable in clinical settings. The prerequisite of clinically applicable biomarkers is that they provide useful information for clinical decision-making, such as predicting disease risk, diagnosing disease, monitoring disease progression, or guiding treatment decisions. Therefore, the development of non-invasive robust, reliable, and useful biomarkers in humans is necessary to develop anti-aging therapy for humans. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Aim: We aimed to examine the direct and indirect associations between diet-related quality of life (DRQOL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with osteoporosis.

Methods: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted using data from a 1-year prospective cohort survey of 532 consecutive patients with osteoporosis. The DRQOL was assessed using a short version of the Diet-Related Quality of Life Scale. Dietary intake statuses were assessed using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Frailty was assessed using the Kihon Checklist (KCL). HRQOL was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimensions 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) score. The association between the DRQOL scores and each item was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, path analysis, and a cross-lagged panel model.

Results: In the baseline cross-sectional analysis, DRQOL scores at the ≥75th percentile of the cohort were associated with protein intake (odds ratio [OR] 2.18; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.20, 3.96), frailty (OR: 0.14; 95% CIs: 0.06, 0.33), and having a full EQ-5D-5L score (OR: 2.37; 95% CIs: 1.33, 4.21). In the path analysis, the DRQOL score was directly related to the EQ-5D-5L score and indirectly related via protein intake and the KCL score (standardized direct effect: 0.08, standardized indirect effect: 0.11). In the cross-lagged panel model, DRQOL scores at baseline were indirectly positively associated with EQ-5D-5L scores at 1 year (standardized direct effect: -0.06, standardized indirect effect: 0.23).

Conclusions: The DRQOL in patients with osteoporosis may be directly and indirectly related to the HRQOL via protein intake and frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Aim: One of the parameters that is measurable using bioelectrical impedance is the phase angle (PhA), which is an indicator of skeletal muscle quality. The PhA reflects cellular health and nutritional status and is an important parameter for monitoring recovery after stroke. However, the factors affecting skeletal muscle quality remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors associated with skeletal muscle quality in patients with acute stroke.

Methods: A total of 505 consecutively hospitalized patients with acute stroke were included in this study. The primary outcome was the PhA measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, which evaluates muscle quality. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting PhA.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 75.1 years, and 44% were female. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score upon admission was 4, and the mean length of stay was 18 days. The mean PhA for skeletal muscle quality was 4.9° in males and 3.9° in females. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, sex, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (pre-mRS), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease had independent effects on PhA (R² = 0.575; P = 0.001). Age, pre-mRS, NIHSS, dementia, and PhA independently associated with functional independence measure at discharge (R² = 0.657; P = 0.001).

Conclusions: This study identified determinants contributing to the deterioration of muscle quality upon admission in acute stroke patients. Further investigation is needed to ascertain whether modulation of these factors improves muscle quality. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.