Aging Clinical and Experimental Research最新文献

Aims

To determine if the relationship between joint pain and sleep quality among individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) differs according to physical activity level among older adults.

Methods

169 community-dwelling older adults in the UK Hertfordshire Cohort Study (aged 71–80) with radiographic knee OA completed a questionnaire. This included: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam Physical Activity Questionnaire; and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale. Logistic regression was used to examine the WOMAC knee pain score in relation to having poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) with adjustment for sex, age, and anxiety and depression scores; analyses were performed with and without stratification by physical activity category (bottom sex-specific tertile vs. not).

Results

Knee pain prevalence (WOMAC pain score > 0) was 40.7% among men and 46.6% among women; 37.0% of men and 50.0% of women reported poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Higher WOMAC pain scores were related to increased risk of poor sleep quality; odds ratio (95% CI) per unit increase in pain score: 1.15 (1.01,1.32), p = 0.038). Relationships were similar across physical activity levels.

Conclusions

Relationships between joint pain and poor sleep quality among older adults with radiographic knee OA were similar, regardless of physical activity level. Our results highlight the high prevalence of both sleep disturbance and significant knee pain in this group, illustrating the need to consider supportive measures as appropriate in this population.

Background

Chronic constipation is common in the elderly, impairing quality of life and increasing healthcare use. While pharmacologic options exist, low-cost non-pharmacological alternatives remain underutilized.

Aims

To compare the effectiveness of traditional Thai abdominal massage versus prune consumption in relieving functional constipation in older women.

Methods

This single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2024 at Rafsanjan Primary Healthcare Centers. One hundred five elderly women with constipation (Rome III criteria) were assigned to Thai abdominal massage, prune consumption (50 g twice weekly), or control (n = 35 each) for 8 weeks. Outcomes included constipation severity (Constipation Assessment Scale, CAS), stool consistency (Bristol Stool Index), pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), and quality of life (PAC-QoL).

Results

Thai massage significantly reduced constipation severity (–6.71 ± 2.84), pain (–5.55 ± 1.92), and improved stool consistency (–2.03 ± 0.84) compared to the prune and control groups. Prune consumption showed the greatest improvement in quality of life (+ 0.75 ± 0.44). Group-by-time interaction effects were significant for all outcomes (CAS: F = 33.04; VAS: F = 84.33; Bristol: F = 26.74; QoL: F = 59.33; all p < 0.001).

Discussion

Thai massage was more effective in relieving constipation symptoms, while prunes offered subjective well-being benefits. Mechanistically, massage likely improved colonic motility and reduced anorectal discomfort.

Conclusion

Thai abdominal massage offers a superior, low-cost intervention for functional constipation in elderly women, while prune consumption may complement care through quality-of-life gains.

Background

While previous studies have shown inconsistent associations between volunteer participation and cognitive health in later life, less attention has been paid to qualitative aspects of engagement. This study examined whether psychological engagement in volunteer activities is associated with subjective cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Method

This cross-sectional study included 431 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 78.2 ± 5.7 years; 90.0% female) from self-management exercise class. Volunteer activity status was assessed using a self-reported participation questionnaire. Psychological engagement (Volunteer Engagement; VE) was evaluated using a three-item version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale adapted for volunteer settings. Based on VE scores, the participants were categorized into three groups: non-volunteers, low-engagement volunteers, and high-engagement volunteers. Subjective cognitive function was assessed using three self-reported items addressing memory complaints and disorientation, derived from the Kihon Checklist. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between (1) volunteer activity status and (2) VE scores with low cognitive function, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

Of 431 participants, 60.1% reported volunteering. There was no significant association between being a volunteer and low cognitive function. In contrast, high-engagement volunteers had significantly lower odds of low cognitive function than non-volunteers (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27–0.97). No significant differences were observed between low-engagement volunteers and non-volunteers.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that psychological engagement in volunteer activities rather than mere participation may be more closely related to the subjective cognitive health of older adults. Highlighting this engagement may help inform policies and programs for promoting cognitive health.

Introduction

Sarcopenia, characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, significantly affects older adults, particularly those with cancer. Although sarcopenia’s negative influence on quality of life (QoL) is acknowledged, data on its specific impact among older hospitalized oncology patients remain limited. The aim of the present study was to assess the health-related quality of life in older patients (≥ 65 years) diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer using the SarQoL^® questionnaire and to analyze the association between weight loss and functioning across individual quality of life domains.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 97 consecutive patients (≥ 65 years) diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer, hospitalized at the University Hospital in Krakow between June and September 2023. Participants completed the SarQoL^® questionnaire, assessing QoL across seven domains: physical and mental health, locomotion, body composition, functionality, activities of daily living, leisure activities, and fears. Nutritional status was evaluated using Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002).

Results

Patients had moderate impairment in overall QoL (mean SarQoL^® score: 61.7 ± 15.4/100). Lowest scores were observed in leisure activities (55 points), while highest scores occurred in fears (83 points). A significant but weak inverse correlation was observed between body weight and functionality (r = -0.225 ; p < 0.05) and fears domains (r = -0.255 ; p < 0.05), indicating higher QoL scores with lower body weight. Notably, patients with higher NRS scores paradoxically reported better functionality (r = 0.213 ; p < 0.05). Additionally, subjective physical weakness strongly correlated with mobility limitations and fatigue during walking (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Sarcopenia substantially impairs QoL in older oncology patients, especially regarding leisure and functionality domains. The SarQoL^® questionnaire is effective in identifying nuanced impacts of sarcopenia on QoL. Early nutritional and rehabilitative interventions tailored to these insights could significantly enhance patient care and QoL outcomes.

Aim

To investigate effects of host- and gut microbiota (GM)-altering interventions on sarcopenia (parameters).

Methods

Upon PROSPERO registration (CRD42022347363), six databases and one registry were searched until January 5th 2024 and updated on June 10th 2025 for diet, pre-, pro-, or synbiotics mono-interventions in populations with mean age ≥ 50 years. (Standardized) mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using random-effects models if heterogeneity was > 50%. Risk of bias (Rob) & GRADE assessments were carried out to assess the evidence’ quality and certainty.

Results

The qualitative analysis included 38 diet, 13 prebiotics, 11 probiotics and 1 synbiotics studies, totaling 4842 participants (59%♀), mostly of high RoB. The quantitative analysis included 49 studies. Probiotics improved muscle strength by 1.90 kg and gait speed by 0.08 m/s. Fiber (whole-food)-enriched diets improved muscle strength with 1.25 kg and energy-restricted diets, aimed at weight loss, improved muscle mass if mean age was < 60 years and if the intervention lasted no longer than 12 weeks. High-protein diets improved muscle mass in women and if the intervention lasted at least 12 weeks. Studies involving participants with sarcopenia were only included in the qualitative analysis, since none provided sufficient data to allow a quantitative synthesis.

Discussion

Fiber (whole food)-enriched diets and probiotics improve muscle strength. The latter intervention also improves gait speed. High-protein diets improve muscle mass in women and with intervention durations ≥ 12 weeks. Future studies should include fecal sampling to assess whether GM modulate the observed effects.

Conclusion

Specific diets and probiotics offer potential to improve sarcopenia parameters.

Objective

To explore the potential categories of fear of falling in elderly stroke patients and analyze the differences in characteristics and influencing factors among patients in different categories.

Methods

AA total of 386 elderly stroke patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of a tertiary grade A general hospital in Jilin Province from March 2024 to June 2024 were selected as research subjects using the convenience sampling method. A general information questionnaire, Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used for the survey. Mplus 8.3 software was applied to conduct latent profile analysis (LPA) on fear of falling in elderly stroke patients to identify potential categories, and multivariate logistic regression was used to further explore the influencing factors of each category.

Results

There were 3 potential categories of fear of falling in elderly stroke patients: the high fear of falling group (21.8%), moderate fear of falling group (38.3%), and low fear of falling group (39.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, type of stroke diagnosis, visual status, hearing status, limb strength, coping style, and social support were the influencing factors for the potential categories of fear of falling in elderly stroke patients.

Conclusion

Fear of falling in elderly stroke patients has obvious categorical characteristics. Medical staff should implement targeted interventions based on the characteristics and influencing factors of different potential categories to reduce patients’ fear of falling.

Humanitarian emergencies, including wars, forced displacements, sudden onset disasters, and pandemics, disproportionately affect older persons. This scoping review aims to map and synthesise existing studies on the care needs of older persons in such contexts, emphasising needs directly reported by the older persons themselves. A literature search was conducted on PubMed and EMBASE, focusing on qualitative studies that reported care needs of older persons in the context of humanitarian crises. The initial search yielded 4,409 articles, which were reduced to a final list of 27 articles after screening titles and abstracts, as well as an in-depth evaluation of full texts. The needs and priorities retrieved from the articles were clustered, taking into account the preparedness, response, and recovery phases of humanitarian crises to which they referred. Overall, findings indicated a broad spectrum of priorities reported by older persons. In particular, it was highlighted that the management of chronic conditions and functional impairments drove care needs. Furthermore, environmental barriers (including limited access to tailored information and inadequate transportation) and social issues (e.g., the need for support from others, disconnection from family, community, and cultural ties, and financial problems) are significant hurdles for older adults during crises. Unfortunately, qualitative studies reporting the perspectives of older people in the context of humanitarian crises still present substantial limitations, for which further research is required. Gathering evidence on the needs of older persons in humanitarian crises is essential. The scarcity of reliable data often results in their needs being overlooked during emergencies, leading to inadequate support.

Background

Ageism and stigma toward individuals with dementia contribute to their social exclusion and negatively impact their well-being. Intergenerational interventions, particularly those based on shared enjoyable experiences, have shown potential in reducing negative stereotypes. This study explored whether a Silent Disco event could challenge ageism and dementia-related stigma by fostering positive intergroup contact.

Aims

The study assessed the effectiveness of an intergenerational Silent Disco event in reducing ageism and stigma among young adults (21–40 years, M = 32.76 ± 4.70), middle-aged adults (41–60, years M = 51.21 ± 5.88), and young-old adults (61–80 years, M = 66.67 ± 6.10).

Methods

A 6-item questionnaire with two subscales—“Non-inclusion” and “Unpleasantness of company”—was administered to 115 participants before and after the event to measure negative stereotypes about aging and dementia. Changes in attitudes were analyzed across age groups.

Results

The event reduced stigma-related unpleasantness in the total sample (p = .020) and ageism-related unpleasantness among middle-aged participants (p = .011). However, no statistically significant changes were observed in non-inclusion perceptions for either ageism or stigma.

Discussion

These findings indicate that intergenerational Silent Disco events help reduce specific negative stereotypes—particularly unpleasant perceptions of older adults and people with dementia—with the strongest reduction in ageism-related unpleasantness seen in middle-aged participants. However, the persistence of non-inclusion attitudes highlights the need for broader interventions to address social exclusion.

Conclusions

Silent Disco events show potential in challenging stereotypes and fostering inclusivity, but additional strategies are needed to promote deeper intergenerational engagement and social inclusion.

Background

Elderly inpatients are at high risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). The association between dietary carotene and HAP remains unclear.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 165 patients aged ≥ 80 years. Dietary carotene intake was assessed via 72-hour recall and food weighing, analyzed using the China Food Composition Table. Based on tertiles of dietary carotene intake, patients were stratified into low- (T1, < 713.3 µg/day; n = 55), medium- (T2, 713.4–2101.4 µg/day; n = 54), and high-intake groups (T3, ≥ 2101.6 µg/day; n = 56). Multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic splines, threshold analysis and subgroup analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between dietary carotene intake and HAP.

Results

A total of 165 hospitalized senior patients aged 80 years or older were included, with an average age of 89.7 ± 9.8 years. Of these, 30.9% (51/165) had HAP. After adjusting for confounding factors (age, BMI, co-morbidities, energy intake, etc.), the risk of pneumonia in the moderate dietary carotene intake group (T2) was 80% lower than that in the lowest dietary carotene intake group (T1) (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.06–0.71). Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear association between carotene intake and HAP risk (P for nonlinearity = 0.003). The inflection point analysis indicated a significant reduction in pneumonia risk with increasing carotene intake below 1273.7 µg/d. Beyond this threshold, however, the dose-response curve plateaued, suggesting no additional benefit from higher intake. Subgroup analyses (by diabetes, CKD, nutrition risk) showed consistent results.

Conclusions

Increased dietary carotenoids intake was inversely associated with the prevalence of HAP, demonstrating a dose-response relationship below a threshold of 1273.7 µg/d.