HbA1c and physical performance in older adults from different aging epidemiological contexts: Longitudinal findings of the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the longitudinal predictions between glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and physical performance scores in different epidemiological contexts of aging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal data of 1,337 older people from three countries (Canada, Brazil and Colombia) of the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) were used to assess the relationship between HbA1c and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores between 2012 and 2016. Linear Mixed Models grouped by sex and adjusted by Age, Study site, Chronic Conditions, Anthropometric Measures, and Inflammatory Level were used to estimate the influence of HbA1c and covariates on SPPB scores. RESULTS: At the IMIAS baseline, Latin American (LA) cities had higher HbA1c averages compared to Canadian cities, with Natal (Brazil) being the city with the highest HbA1c averages in men and women (6.32 ± 1.49; 6,56 ± 1.70 respectively). SPPB scores were significantly lower in LA cities, and older people in Natal had lower SPPB averages in men (9.67 ± 2.38; p-value < 0.05) and women (8.52 ± 2.33; p-value <0.05). In the multivariate mixed linear models of longitudinal analyses, HbA1c was significantly associated with lower SPPB scores in men (ß = -0.25, 95% CI: -0.39 to -0.12, p-value = 0.02) but not in women. CONCLUSION: High HbA1c levels at baseline were longitudinally associated in older adults from different countries, and this association was observed only in men and not in women. This study highlights a possible influence of gender on this relationship.

Factors associated with medical students' quality of life in a Brazilian northeast countryside university / Fatores associados à qualidade de vida dos estudantes de medicina no interior do Nordeste brasileiro

Abstract: Introduction: The current policy of interiorization of medical education worldwide and the application of active methods, as well as the lack of consensus regarding the factors associated with medical students' quality of life are topics of discussion in the medical literature. Objective: In view of the scarcity of analyses on the subject, this study aimed to evaluate the topictopic at a medical school in a Brazilian northeast countryside university. Method: Cross-sectional study, developed from March to May of 2018. The questionnaire WHOQOL-bref was used to evaluate the quality of life and the data were related to: sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric data and lifestyle. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics; then, a bivariate analysis was performed with a test for comparison of mean scores aimed to identify possible variables associated with the investigated domains. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify possible factors associated with poor quality of life in the investigated domains. The statistical analysis estimated 95% CI and p-value <0.05. Results: The present study characterized the students' quality of life and identified the following factors as being associated with poor quality of life: female gender, attending preclinical years, being a smoker, having normal weight classified according to the body mass index, having a negative assessment of their own health and quality of life. The results also showed that most students had a negative evaluation regarding the physical, psychological and environmental domains; in contrast to the social relationships domain, in which most reported a positive assessment. Conclusion: The findings allow discussions about measures aimed at dealing with factors that affect the quality of life of medical students attending medical schools located in remote and rural regions.

Resumo: Introdução: A atual política de interiorização da educação médica mundial e a aplicação de métodos ativos, bem como a falta de consenso sobre os fatores associados à qualidade de vida dos estudantes de Medicina, são conhecidos temas de discussão na literatura médica. Objetivo: Tendo em vista a escassez de análise sobre o assunto, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de vida entre os estudantes de Medicina de uma universidade do interior do Nordeste brasileiro. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, desenvolvido de março a maio de 2018. Utilizou-se o questionário WHOQOL-bref para avaliar a qualidade de vida, e os dados foram relacionados a características sociodemográficas, dados antropométricos e estilo de vida. Analisaram-se os dados por meio de estatística descritiva, e, em seguida, fez-se a análise bivariada com teste para comparação das médias dos escores, a fim de identificar possíveis variáveis associadas aos domínios investigados. Realizou-se regressão logística binária para identificar possíveis fatores associados à pior qualidade de vida nos domínios investigados. A análise estatística estimou IC 95% e valor de p < 0,05. Resultado: O presente estudo caracterizou a qualidade de vida dos estudantes de Medicina e identificou como principais fatores associados à má qualidade de vida: ser do sexo feminino, cursar anos pré-clínicos, ser fumante, ter peso normal classificado pelo índice de massa corporal e apresentar uma avaliação negativa da própria saúde e da qualidade de vida. Os resultados também evidenciaram que a maioria dos estudantes apresentou uma avaliação negativa nos domínios físico, psicológico e meio ambiente, em contraste com o domínio relações sociais, ao qual a maioria atribuiu uma avaliação positiva. Conclusão: Os achados permitem discutir acerca de medidas voltadas a lidar com fatores que prejudicam a qualidade de vida de alunos de escolas de Medicina em regiões remotas e rurais.

Utilização da caderneta de saúde do adolescente: percepção de profissionais / Use of adolescent health care: perception of professionals

Objetivo: Analisar a percepção de profissionais acerca da utilização da Caderneta de Saúde do Adolescente (CSA). Métodos: Estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado em 2018, na cidade de Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, do qual participaram 17 profissionais, sendo 12 membros da equipe de saúde e cinco residentes multiprofissionais em Atenção Básica de uma Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Coletaram-se os dados com entrevista semiestruturada contendo dados sobre caracterização dos profissionais e uma questão norteadora sobre a percepção dos profissionais acerca da CSA. A aplicação da metodologia da análise de conteúdo resultou na identificação de duas categorias temáticas: Concepções dos profissionais acerca da Caderneta de Saúde do Adolescente; Dificuldades dos profissionais acerca da utilização da Caderneta de Saúde do Adolescente. Resultados: Observou-se como principais dificuldades de uso da CSA a falta de capacitação profissional, a resistência dos pais/responsáveis que julgam os filhos imaturos para receberem as informações sobre os temas abordados e, ainda, a ausência dos adolescentes na ESF. Conclusão: O estudo proporcionou reflexões sobre a prática profissional, melhorias no acesso ao atendimento e o registro dos cuidados à saúde do público adolescente. (AU)

Social and Economic Predictors of Worse Frailty Status Occurrence Across Selected Countries in North and South America and Europe.

BACKGROUND: Frailty, a state of vulnerability to poor resolution of homoeostasis after a health stressor, may be a result of cumulative decline in many physiological systems across the life course and its prevalence and incidence rates vary widely depending on the place and population subgroup. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine social and economic factors as predictors of worse frailty status over 2 years of follow-up in a sample of community-dwelling older adults from the International Mobility in Aging Study. METHODS: We analyzed 2012 baseline and 2014 follow-up (n = 1,724) data on participants from a populational-based, longitudinal study conducted in 4 countries (e.g., Brazil, Colombia, Albania, and Canada). Frailty was defined according to the Fried's phenotype and Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were performed to estimate the relative risks of becoming frail. RESULTS: In our study, 366 (21.2%) participants migrated to a worse stage of frailty. After statistical adjustment (e.g., participant age, sex, and study site), insufficient income (RR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.00-1.96) and having partner support (RR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.64-1.01) were predictors of incident frailty status. CONCLUSION: Notably, transitions in frailty status were observed even in a short range of time, with sociodemographic factors predicting incident frailty.

Cortisol and physical performance in older populations: Findings from the international mobility in aging study (IMIAS).

OBJECTIVE: To compare diurnal cortisol profiles across samples of older adults from diverse populations and to examine if differences in circadian cortisol secretion are associated with poor physical performance (SPPB<9). METHODS: Data were collected during the baseline survey of the International Mobility in Aging Study conducted in 2012 in Kingston (Canada), Saint-Hyacinthe (Canada), Tirana (Albania) and Manizales (Colombia). Salivary cortisol was collected from a subsample of 309 participants instructed to collect saliva on two consecutive days, and 5 different intervals each day: upon awakening (M1), 30min (M2) and 60min after awakening, at 15:00h and before bedtime (E). Cortisol was analyzed using enzyme immunoassay kits. Physical performance was measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Mixed linear models were fit to assess the associations between cortisol diurnal output and physical performance, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Kingston, Saint-Hyacinthe and Tirana residents had significantly higher cortisol values than their Manizales counterparts, with the population from Tirana showing the highest levels. Attenuated morning cortisol peak (M2) (p=0.025), higher cortisol bed time (E) (p=0.005), and lower M2/E ratio (p<0.001) were found among those with SPPB<9 compared with those with good physical performance (SPPB≥9). These results were not altered after adjustment by potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Cortisol profiles varied across four diverse populations of older adults. Circadian cortisol secretion is associated with physical performance as an attenuated morning response and higher bed time values were observed in older adults with SPPB<9.

Lifecourse adversity and physical performance across countries among men and women aged 65-74.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the associations between lifecourse adversity and physical performance in old age in different societies of North and South America and Europe. METHODS: We used data from the baseline survey of the International Study of Mobility in Aging, conducted in: Kingston (Canada), Saint-Hyacinthe (Canada), Natal (Brazil), Manizales (Colombia) and Tirana (Albania). The study population was composed of community dwelling people between 65 and 74 years of age, recruiting 200 men and 200 women at each site. Physical Performance was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Economic and social adversity was estimated from childhood adverse events, low education, semi-skilled occupations during adulthood and living alone and insufficient income in old age. RESULTS: A total of 1995 people were assessed. Low physical performance was associated with childhood social and economic adversity, semi-skilled occupations, living alone and insufficient income. Physical performance was lower in participants living in Colombia, Brazil and Albania than in Canada counterparts, despite adjustment for lifecourse adversity, age and sex. CONCLUSIONS: We show evidence of the early origins of social and economic inequalities in physical performance during old age in distinct populations and for the independent and cumulative disadvantage of low socioeconomic status during adulthood and poverty and living alone in later life.

Efeitos do treinamento de dupla tarefa no controle do equilíbrio dinâmico e estático de idosas pré-frágeis: um estudo piloto / Effects of a dual-task training on dynamic and static balance control of pre-frail elderly: a pilot study

Introdução: Este estudo quase-experimental justificou-se pela necessidade de determinar os efeitos de uma estratégia de intervenção que vise melhorar o equilíbrio em idosas pré-frágeis. A hipótese era que o treinamento em esteira tipo dupla tarefa, comparado a um treinamento simples em esteira, pudesse promover diferença no controle postural do grupo. Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar as medidas de controle postural em um grupo de idosos pré-frágeis após um programa de intervenção fisioterapêutica com base no treinamento em esteira tipo dupla tarefa. Materiais e métodos: Foram selecionados seis idosos pré-frágeis, do sexo feminino, residentes em comunidade. A pesquisa foi realizada duas vezes por semana por 45 minutos, durante quatro semanas. A intervenção na condição de tarefa simples consistiu no treino em esteira, enquanto a condição de dupla tarefa consistiu em treino em esteira associado a estímulos visuais. Apenas o grupo de intervenção foi submetido ao treino tipo de dupla tarefa. Resultados: Os grupos apresentaram melhoras nas variáveis de equilíbrio em diferentes tarefas, especialmente naquelas do equilíbrio estático. Ambos os grupos apresentaram as mudanças mais notáveis nas variáveis relacionadas à marcha.As variáveis de Berg e as baropodométrica mostraram que o grupo experimental manteve todos os valores similares ou melhores, mesmo um mês após a conclusão do treinamento, ao contrário do grupo controle.Conclusões: O desempenho da dupla tarefa não teve nenhum valor adicional em relação à melhora do equilíbrio em geral, porém observamos que a eficácia da estimulação visual tende a ocorrer na manutenção do equilíbrio das variáveis de curto prazo

INTRODUCTION: This quasi-experimental study is justified by the need to determine the effects of an intervention strategy aimed at improving the static and dynamic balance in pre-frail elderly women. We hypothesized that dual-task training on a treadmill, compared to simple training on a treadmill,may promote statistical difference in postural control of this group. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to verify the measures of postural control in a group of pre-frail elderly after a physical therapy intervention program based on dual-task treadmill training.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected six female pre-frail elderly subjects living in the community. The research was conducted twice a week for 45 minutes, for four weeks. The simple task training consisted only in the use of a treadmill and the dual-task training consisted on the use of a treadmill associated with visual stimuli. Only the intervention group was submitted to the dual-task training. RESULTS: Groups showed improvements in the variables of balance in different tasks, especially on static balance. Both groups showed the most notable changes in the variables related to gait. The BBS scores and the baropodometric variables showed that the experimental group could keep all values similar or better even one month after completion of training, unlike the control group.CONCLUSION: The dual-task performance had no additional value in relation to the improvement of balance in general, but we observed that the effectiveness of visual stimulation seems to occur in the maintenance of short-term balance variables.

Frailty syndrome and associated factors in community-dwelling elderly in Northeast Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty syndrome in the elderly, characterized by decreased physiological reserves, is associated with increased risk of disability and high vulnerability to morbidity and mortality. This study is part of a multicenter project on Frailty in Elderly Brazilians (REDE FIBRA). AIMS: To investigate characteristics, prevalence and associated factors related to frailty. METHODOLOGY: A total of 391 randomly selected elderly patients aged 65 years were interviewed. Data collection was performed using a multidimensional questionnaire containing information about sociodemographic and clinical variables. Fried's phenotype was used to characterize the frail elderly. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis (χ(2)) and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of frailty was 17.1%. In the final multivariate analysis model, the following factors associated with frailty were obtained: advanced chronological age (p<0.001), presence of comorbidity (p<0.035), dependence in basic (p<0.010) and instrumental (p<0.003) activities of daily living and negative perception of health status (p<0030). CONCLUSION: The factors associated with frailty suggest a predictive model that helps in understanding the syndrome, guiding actions that minimize adverse effects in the aging process.