The activity of daily living (ADL) subgroups and health impairment among Chinese elderly: a latent profile analysis.

BACKGROUND: Disability in aged people became one of the major challenges in China due to the acceleration of population aging. Nevertheless, there were limited methods to appropriately discriminate the degree of combined basic activity of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL). The present study explored an empirical typology of the activity of daily living (ADL) and its association with health status among the elderly in China. METHODS: Data throughout the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) was retrieved and Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify the subgroups of ADL for included elderly subjects. Multinomial regression was performed to detect the effect of identified characteristics with ADL subgroups, and the restricted cubic spine was drawn to show the changes in the relationship between age-specific ADL disability and BMI. RESULTS: The overall participants (n=8108) were divided into three ADL classes by LPA - 'no BADL limitation-no IADL limitation' (Class one, n=6062, 75%), 'no BADL limitation- IADL impairment' (Class two, n=1526, 19%), and 'BADL impairment- IADL impairment' (Class three, n=520, 6%). Compared with the participants in Class one, the oldest-old, living without spouse, lacking of exercise, short in social activities, having experience of falls, having comorbidity of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, decreased cognitive function, depression symptom were highly associated with Class two and Class three. Additionally, malnutrition and asthma were associated with combined BADL/IADL impairment (Class three), while illiteracy was only associated with IADL impairment (Class two). Furthermore, a statistically significant U-shape association was detected between age and BADL/IADL disability (Class three vs. Class two) as well as BMI and BADL/IADL disability (Class three vs. Class one). The elderly aged 80-90 with IADL impairment were less likely to evolve into combined BADL/IADL impairment, and the elderly who were underweight or obese may have higher risk of combined BADL/IADL impairment. CONCLUSION: A novel functional assessment was explored based on LPA, by which elderly people could be classified into three distinct classes of combined BADL/IADL. The predictors identified with particular IADL/BADL classes could draw early attention to the onset of functional disability and enlighten targeted interventions to address consequent problems of aged people.

Instrumental activities of daily living trajectories and risk of mild cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: results of the Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey, 2002-2018.

Background: The association between the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) score and the risk of initial cognitive function impairment is inconclusive. We aimed to identify distinctive IADL trajectories and examine their relationship with the onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among Chinese older people. Methods: The study used six-wave longitudinal data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey conducted between 2002 and 2018. It included a total of 11,044 Chinese people aged 65 years or older. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify distinctive trajectories of the IADL score, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to explore the hazard ratio of various trajectories at the onset of MCI. Interaction analysis was used to analyze individual modification between the IADL trajectories and the onset of MCI. Finally, we adopted four types of sensitivity analysis to verify the robustness of the results. Results: During a median follow-up of 16 years, the incidence of MCI was 6.29 cases per 1,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.92-6.68). Three distinct IADL trajectory groups were identified: a low-risk IADL group (41.4%), an IADL group with increasing risk (28.5%), and a high-risk IADL group (30.4%). Using the Cox proportional hazards model after adjusting for covariates, we found that compared with the low risk IADL group, the hazard ratio of the IADL group with increasing risk was 4.49 (95% CI = 3.82-5.28), whereas that of the high-risk IADL group was 2.52 (95% CI 2.08-3.05). Treating the IADL group with increasing risk as the reference, the hazard ratio for the high-risk IADL group was 0.56 (95% CI 0.48-0.66). Interaction analyses showed that age and residence were significant moderators (P for interaction <0.05). Conclusion: A group-based trajectory model was developed to classify older people into three distinct trajectory groups of the IADL score. The IADL group with increasing risk had a greater risk of MCI than the high-risk IADL group. In the IADL group with increasing risk, city residents of ≥80 years were the most likely to develop MCI.

Non-linear Associations Between Visceral Adiposity Index and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases: Results From the NHANES (1999-2018).

Objective: To investigate associations between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCDs) in the American population from 1999 to 2018. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998-2018) were analyzed in this study. Specifically, VAI scores were calculated using sex-specific equations that incorporate body mass index, waist circumference (WC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and cholesterol. Weighted logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between VAI tertile and increased risk of CCDs. Restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the non-linear relationship between VAI and CCDs, such as heart failure, angina, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Sensitivity analysis was conducted, using VAI quartiles as independent variables. Results: A total of 22,622 subjects aged over 20 years were included. In the fully adjusted model after controlling for covariates, the third VAI tertile was more strongly associated with CCDs than the first VAI tertile, with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values for angina of 2.86, 1.68-4.85; heart attack, 1.75, 1.14-2.69; stroke, 2.01, 1.23-3.26; hypertension, 2.28, 1.86-2.78; and coronary heart disease, 1.78, 1.32-2.41; but there was no significant association with heart failure (p > 0.05). Restricted cubic splines revealed parabolic relationships between VAI score and angina (p for non-linear = 0.03), coronary heart disease (p for non-linear = 0.01), and hypertension (p for non-linear < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the fourth VAI quartile was more strongly associated with an increased risk of angina (OR = 2.92, 95% CI, 1.49-5.69), hypertension (OR = 2.37, 95% CI, 1.90-2.97), heart attack (OR = 1.77, 95% CI, 1.09-2.88), and coronary heart disease (OR = 1.89, 95% CI, 1.24-2.86) than the first VAI quartile. VAI had superior predictive power for prevalent CCDs than other independent indicators (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Visceral adiposity index score is positively correlated with angina, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, and coronary heart disease, but not heart failure, and the relationships between VAI score and angina, hypertension, and coronary heart disease are non-linear.

Association between blood lead levels and hyperlipidemiais: Results from the NHANES (1999-2018).

Background: Research on the association between blood lead (Pb) and lipid biomarkers have yielded inconsistent results, and epidemiological studies on blood Pb levels and hyperlipidemia are scarce. The present study aimed to examine the association between blood Pb levels and hyperlipidemia in adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: A total of 43,196 participants in the NHANES from 1999 to 2018 were included in the final analysis. Hyperlipidemia was determined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Blood Pb levels were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to determine the correlation between blood Pb levels and hyperlipidemia. Results: In the multivariable logistic regression model, high blood Pb levels were significantly associated with hyperlipidemia after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.41; 95%CI: 1.18-1.67). Furthermore, elevated blood Pb levels were associated with an increased risk of hyperlipidemia across the four quartile (Q) groups (Q1: OR 1.00; Q2: OR 1.16 [95%CI: 1.04-1.29]; Q3: OR 1.39 [95%CI: 1.21-1.59]; and Q4: OR 1.33 [95%CI: 1.15-1.54]; P for trend <0.05). Significant moderating effects were found in the subgroup analysis stratified by age, education, hypertension, and diabetes (P < 0.05). In sensitivity analysis, the ORs for hyperlipidemia across the quartiles of blood Pb levels were 1.00, 1.17 (95%CI: 1.05-1.30), 1.42 (95%CI: 1.24-1.62), and 1.38 (95%CI: 1.19-1.60) for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (P for trend <0.001) after removing adults with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and the ORs were 1.00, 1.13 (95%CI: 1.01-1.25), 1.38 (95%CI: 1.21-1.56), and 1.32 (95%CI: 1.16-1.52) for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (P for trend <0.001) after including pregnant women. Conclusion: The current study showed a positive association between blood lead levels and hyperlipidemia.

Causal Association Between Tea Consumption and Kidney Function: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Causal research concerning the consumption of tea and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. This study identified the potential causal effects of tea intake on CKD, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and albuminuria. Methods: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) from UK Biobank were able to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with an extra cup of tea each day. The summary statistics for the kidney function from the CKDGen consortium include 11,765 participants (12,385 cases of CKD) and 54,116 participants for the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio who were mostly of European descent. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to test the relationship between the selected SNPs and the risk of CKD. Results: A total of 2,672 SNPs associated with tea consumption (p < 5 × 10-8) were found, 45 of which were independent and usable in CKDGen. Drinking more cups of tea per day indicates a protective effect for CKD G3-G5 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.803; p = 0.004] and increases eGFR (ß = 0.019 log ml/min/1.73 m2 per cup per day; p = 2.21 × 10-5). Excluding two SNPs responsible for directional heterogeneity (Cochran Q p = 0.02), a high consumption of tea was also negatively correlated with a lower risk of albuminuria (OR = 0.758; p = 0.002). Conclusion: From the perspective of genes, causal relationships exist between daily extra cup of tea and the reduced risk of CKD and albuminuria and increased eGFR.

All-Cause Mortality Risk Associated With Solid Fuel Use Among Chinese Elderly People: A National Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

Background: The adverse health effects of air pollutants are widely reported, and the elderly are susceptible to toxic environments. This study aimed to evaluate the association between use of solid fuels for cooking and mortality among the elderly. Methods: A total of 5,732 and 3,869 participants from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were enrolled in two (2014 and 2018) and three surveys (2011, 2014, and 2018) of survey. Cooking fuel was divided into clean and solid fuel. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the mortality hazard ratio (HR). Subgroup analyses were performed to assess the potential interaction effect. Results: Among the participants in the 2011-2018 survey, 53% reported using solid fuel. Such group was associated with a 9% increase in mortality risk relative to clean fuel users (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01-1.18). Among participants in the 2014-2018 survey, 339 reported a switch from solid to clean fuels and they were not at increased mortality risk relative to the 488 people that reported a stable use of clean fuels (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.99-1.31) although the estimated HR was similar to the one for stable solid fuel users (HR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.04-1.36 n = 509). Interaction and stratified analyses showed that solid fuel use had an impact on mortality in participants who were non-current smokers, had low dietary diversity scores, and were living in areas with high PM2.5 concentrations (>50 µg/m3) and city population below 8 million (P for interaction < 0.05). The association was robust in the three sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: The finding showed a clear association between solid fuel use and mortality among older Chinese, and an even stronger association between risk of mortality and solid fuel use among individuals exposed to high levels of PM2.5.

Association Between Drinking Water Sources and Osteoarthritis Incidence in Chinese Elderly Population: National Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The elderly is a vulnerable group susceptible to toxic environmental factors; however, the association between unsafe water and osteoarthritis (OA) incident among this population is poorly investigated. This study aimed to examine the effects of drinking water sources on OA risk in the Chinese elderly population. METHODS: Data were obtained from the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey to perform a 16-year longitudinal study. All participants aged ≥65 years at baseline were potentially eligible. Information on drinking water sources was recorded via a structured questionnaire. The water source was classified as well, surface, spring, or tap. OA was selected as the health outcome. Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted socio-demographics, lifestyle, and chronic disease were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for OA. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess the potential interactive effect. RESULTS: A total of 12,543 participants were included. With restriction to the longest follow-up time, the mean survival time of follow-up was 14.56 years. Among the cohort members, 1,585 members suffered from OA. In the full model, drinking from well water and spring water was associated with a higher risk of OA compared with drinking from tap water (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.22-1.54; HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.03-1.74). Except for age, the effects of modifications from socioeconomic status, lifestyles, and health conditions were non-significant (p for interaction <0.05). After multiple imputations for missing data and excluding deaths in the first year of follow-up and participants with a history of the disease and using the Shared-frailty Cox model, sensitivity analysis indicated a robust association between the drinking water source and OA incidence. CONCLUSION: Drinking tap water was associated with a low risk of OA among older adults in China. The use of clean water sources as a marker of decreased OA and arthritis risks must be revisited in low- and middle-income countries.

Higher Dietary Se Intake Is Associated With the Risk of New-Onset Fracture: A National Longitudinal Study for 20 Years.

Background: The association between dietary selenium (Se) intake and osteoporosis-related fractures remains inconsistent. We aimed to examine the dose relationship between Se intake and incident fracture among Chinese adults. Methods: The dietary data were retrieved from the China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted between 1991 and 2011, and 17,150 participants aged above 20 were included. A 3-day, 24-h recall of food intake was performed to assess cumulative average dietary Se intake. The fracture was based on self-report in each survey between 1997 and 2011. The association between Se intake and fracture was tested by Cox regression, and the non-linear association was examined by restricted cubic splines (RCS). Results: There were 976 fracture cases during a mean of 10.2 years follow-up. In a fully adjusted Cox model, across the quartiles of Se intake, the hazard ratios (HRs) for fracture were 1.07 (95% CI .86-1.33), 1 (reference), 1.25 (95% CI 1.02-1.53), and 1.33 (95% CI 1.07-1.65). RCS showed a parabolic association (P non-linear = 0.037) between Se and fracture for men as well as a U-shape dose-response (P non-linear = 0.04) between Se and fracture for subjects living in highly urbanized areas. Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a non-linear association between selenium intake and fracture, with higher intake associated with increased risk. The shape of the association varies by gender and urbanization level.

Causal Association of Coffee Consumption and Total, Knee, Hip and Self-Reported Osteoarthritis: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: The causal association between coffee consumption and the risk of OA is limited. This study was conducted to identify the potential causal effects of coffee consumption on total, knee, hip, and self-reported OA. Methods: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of OA were derived from the UK Biobank, comprising 50,508 participants of European ancestry (10,083 with cases and 40,425 controls), and genetic data for specific diagnosed knee OA (4462 cases and 17,885 controls), hip OA (12,625 cases and 50,898 controls), and self-reported OA (12,658 cases and 50,898 controls). Primary and secondary genetic instruments (11 SNPs and 8 SNPs) were selected as instrumental variants from GWAS among 375,833 and 91,462 participants. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed to test the effects of the selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the OA risk. The causal effects were primarily estimated using weighted median and inverse-variance weighted method with several sensitivity analyses. Results: The MR analyses suggested that genetically predicted 1% increase of coffee consumption was associated with an increased risk of overall OA (OR:1.009, 95% CI:1.003-1.016), knee OA (OR:1.023, 95% CI:1.009-1.038), self-reported OA (OR:1.007, 95% CI:1.003-1.011), but not hip OA (OR: 1.012, 95%CI:0.999-1.024) using primary genetic instruments. Similar results were found when using secondary genetic instruments that genetically predicted coffee consumption (cups/day). Additionally, the sensitivity analyses for leave-one-out methods supported a robust association between exposure traits and OA. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that genetically predicted coffee consumption exerts a causal effect on total, knee, and self-reported OA risk, but not at the hip. Further research is required to unravel the role of coffee consumption in OA prevention.