DASC-21 score and risk of rehospitalization and all-cause mortality after discharge in older patients with heart failure.

AIM: The impact of cognitive dysfunction-associated activities of daily living (ADL) on mortality and rehospitalization for heart failure has not yet been evaluated. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated DASC-21, the incidence of all-cause mortality, and rehospitalization for heart failure after discharge in 329 older patients with heart failure. RESULTS: The mean age was 85.1 ± 7.4 years (62.6% women). There were 110 cases of death from any cause (33.4%) during 25.5 ± 16.1 months of follow-up and 166 cases of rehospitalization from heart failure (50.5%) during 16.1 ± 15.2 months of follow-up. The DASC-21 score was not significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization. For each item of the DASC-21 questionnaire, defective route-finding (item 6) (HR = 2.631, P = 0.003), common sense and capacity for judgement (item 9) (HR = 1.717, P = 0.040), instrumental ADL (IADL) for shopping (item 10) (HR = 1.771, P = 0.020), and IADL for meal preparation (item 14) (HR = 1.790, P = 0.019) were significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Disabilities in route finding (HR = 2.257, P = 0.005), IADL for shopping (HR = 1.632, P = 0.016), and IADL for transportation (HR = 1.537, P = 0.033) were significant risk factors for rehospitalization due to heart failure. Even in the multivariate-adjusted model, disability in defective route-finding was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.148, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.090-4.236; P = 0.027) and of rehospitalization for heart failure (HR = 2.138, 95% CI 1.153-3.963, P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: In older patients hospitalized for heart failure, route disability was associated with all-cause mortality and rehospitalization for heart failure after discharge. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

Ambulatory blood pressure is associated with left ventricular geometry after 10 years in hypertensive patients with continuous antihypertensive treatment.

Both aging and high blood pressure (BP) are associated with a risk of left ventricular concentricity and hypertrophy. We hypothesized that optimal BP management improves left ventricular remodeling beyond aging. Among 558 hypertensive patients on continuous antihypertensive treatment and without concurrent heart disease who were referred to a cardiology clinic with echocardiography and ambulatory BP monitoring data, 142 patients' echocardiographic data was available after 10 years. Baseline BP and changes in left ventricular geometry were evaluated. Mean age at baseline was 71.0 years old. Baseline daytime BP was 129.9/72.4 ± 17.1/10.2 mmHg and nighttime BP was 122.5/67.1 ± 16.9/9.1 mmHg. After 10 years, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) significantly decreased from 104.5 ± 26.3 to 97.9 ± 26.4 g/m2, p = 0.003 and 0.51 ± 0.09 to 0.47 ± 0.09, p < 0.001, consecutively. Among patients with hypertrophic geometry at baseline, 17.2% reverted to normal geometry at follow-up. Daytime systolic BP (136.9 ± 18.5 mmHg vs 126.2 ± 16.5 mmHg, p = 0.03), nighttime systolic BP (126.2 ± 17.7 mmHg vs 116.3 ± 16.0 mmHg, p = 0.038) and daytime pulse pressure (63.5 ± 17.3 mmHg vs 53.1 ± 14.9 mmHg, p = 0.022) at baseline were higher in patients who remained hypertrophic than those without hypertrophy at follow-up. On logistic regression analysis, daytime, nighttime systolic BP, and daytime pulse pressure were significantly related to the regression of hypertrophy adjusted for age, sex, eGFR, BMI, LVMI, and RWT at baseline. For conclusion, antihypertensive treatment for 10 years improved LV geometry despite aging. Ambulatory BP and pulse pressure at baseline predicted the change of LV geometry after 10 years.

Sarcopenia as a risk factor for hypertension.

Sarcopenia, defined as progressive loss of muscle mass, function, and strength is an aging-related disease that share common pathophysiology with frailty. Sarcopenia is one of the risk factors of hypertension. Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, imbalance of catabolism and anabolism, and chronic inflammation are the underlying mechanisms that explain the association between hypertension and sarcopenia. Exercise is beneficial for older hypertensive patients in prevention of sarcopenia and improvement to normal state. It also attributes to cardiovascular risk reduction and prevention of falls. In this review article, we summarize latest issues about sarcopenia and exercise.

Risk factor of disability as new certification of long-term care needs in older Japanese adults with diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study.

AIM: This observational longitudinal study aimed to explore the risk factors for disabilities in older Japanese individuals with diabetes at a frailty clinic, an outpatient clinic specializing in comprehensive geriatric assessments for older patients. METHODS: The outcome was the onset of disability as a new certification of long-term care needs in outpatients aged ≥65 years. Multivariable Cox regression analyses examined the independent associations between the onset of disability and the variables that reached significance in the bivariate analysis, after adjusting for age and sex, years of education, and certification of need for support. RESULTS: A total of 182 participants (mean age 77.8 years, 59.9% female) were included in the study. During a mean follow-up period of 1070 days, 28 patients (15.4%) developed disabilities. Multivariable analysis showed that poor glycemic control (higher levels of glycosylated albumin and HbA1c), frailty as measured by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), cognitive decline as assessed by the revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (especially "5 object recall" and verbal fluency as assessed by the number of "vegetable names"), poor adherence to medications, and reduced muscle mass were significantly associated with the development of disability. Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed independent and significant associations between the development of disability and HbA1c ≥7.5%, CFS ≥4, and generating vegetable names≤9. CONCLUSION: In identifying older patients with diabetes who are at risk of developing disabilities, it may be useful to evaluate glycemic control, CFS, cognition, and medication adherence. Verbal fluency tests using vegetable names may serve as simple tools for assessing the risk of disability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1030-1038.

DASC-21 score and the risk of in-hospital death in elderly patients with heart failure.

AIM: We investigated whether the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System-21 Items (DASC-21), a questionnaire that assesses cognitive function, including activities of daily living (ADL), was predictive of in-hospital death and prolonged hospital stay in elderly patients hospitalized for heart failure. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the DASC-21 score at the time of admission, in-hospital death, length of hospital stay, and change in the Barthel index in 399 patients hospitalized for heart failure between 2016 and 2019. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 85.8 ± 7.7 years (61.3% women). The median DASC-21 score was 38 (64.7% higher than 31). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, a higher DASC-21 score was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR] = 1.045 per 1 point increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.010-1.081, P = 0.012), even after adjusting for confounding factors, including atrial fibrillation, ejection fraction, and B-type natriuretic peptide. Difficulties (3 or 4) with the self-management of medication in instrumental ADL inside the home (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.05-10.28, P = 0.042), toileting (OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.19-11.29, P = 0.024), grooming (OR = 6.47, 95% CI: 2.00-20.96, P = 0.002), eating (OR = 7.96, 95% CI: 2.49-25.45, P < 0.001), and mobility in physical ADL (OR = 5.99, 95% CI: 1.85-19.35, P = 0.003) were identified as risk factors for in-hospital death. Patients in the highest tertile of the DASC-21 score had a significantly longer hospital stay (P = 0.006) and a greater reduction in the Barthel index (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients hospitalized for heart failure, higher DASC-21 scores were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, prolonged hospital stay, and impaired ADL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 546-553.

Association of pulse pressure and mean blood pressure to frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive dysfunction in elderly outpatients with history of hypertension.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between pulse pressure (PP) and sarcopenia, frailty, and cognitive function in elderly patients with hypertension. We evaluated 435 elderly patients with a history of hypertension who visited the frail outpatient clinic between July 2015 and October 2021. Data at the 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-ups were available for 222, 177, and 164 patients, respectively. Sarcopenia, frailty, and cognitive function, including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, were evaluated. The patients' mean age was 79.2 ± 6.3 years (male, 34.9%). PP and mean blood pressure (BP) were 60.1 ± 13.6 mmHg and 94.1 ± 13.0 mmHg, respectively. At baseline, lower PP was associated with probable dementia (MMSE score ≤23 points) (OR = 0.960 per 1 mmHg increase; 95% CI, 0.933-0.989; P = 0.006) in the model adjusted for conventional confounding factors and comorbidities, whereas higher PP was associated with low handgrip strength (OR = 1.018 per 1 mmHg increase; 95% CI, 1.001-1.036; P = 0.041). In multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis of patients with preserved handgrip strength at baseline, reductions in PP (OR = 0.844; 95% CI, 0.731-0.974; P = 0.020) and mean BP (OR = 0.861; 95% CI, 0.758-0.979; P = 0.022) were significantly associated with the incidence of low handgrip strength at 3 years. In conclusion, a higher PP induced by increased arterial stiffness was associated with lower handgrip strength, whereas a lower PP was associated with probable dementia. Reduced PP was associated with decreased handgrip strength after three years.

Association between Cognitive Impairment Severity and Polypharmacy in Older Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Study Using Inpatient Data from a Specialised Geriatric Hospital.

This study aimed to investigate the association between cognitive impairment and polypharmacy in patients with atrial fibrillation prone to cognitive decline, and to elucidate if the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 21-Items (DASC-21) severity classification indicates drug adjustment. This retrospective cohort study used the DASC-21 and Diagnosis Procedure Combination data at a specialised geriatric hospital with patients hospitalised between April 2019 and March 2022. The association between cognitive severity evaluated using the DASC-21 and polypharmacy was investigated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Data of 1191 inpatients (44.3% aged ≥85 years, 49.0% male) were analysed. Compared with severe cognitive impairment, mild (odds ratio [OR]: 3.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-8.57) and moderate (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.06-5.72) impairments were associated with concurrent use of ≥6 medications. Antithrombotics were related to polypharmacy. The ORs did not change with 6, 8, or 10 medications (2.11 [95% CI: 1.51-2.95, p < 0.001], 2.42 [95% CI: 1.79-3.27, p < 0.001], and 2.01 [95% CI: 1.46-2.77, p < 0.001], respectively). DASC-21 severity was associated with polypharmacy in patients with atrial fibrillation, with a trend toward decreased polypharmacy from moderate to severe. The DASC-21 may serve as an indicator for drug adjustment in clinical practice.

Serum Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Levels Predict the Incidence of Frailty among Patients with Cardiometabolic Diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a crucial health issue among older adults. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are possible pathogeneses of frailty. However, few longitudinal studies have investigated the association between GDF15 and the incidence of frailty. Therefore, we investigated whether high serum GDF15 levels are associated with the incidence of frailty. METHODS: A total of 175 older adults (mean age: 77 ± 6 years; 63% women) with cardiometabolic diseases and no frailty out of the two criteria at baseline participated. Individuals with severe renal impairment or severe cognitive impairment were excluded. Serum GDF15 levels were measured at baseline. Patients were asked to assess frailty status at baseline and annually during follow-up using the modified version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (mCHS) and the Kihon Checklist (KCL). We examined the association between GDF15 tertiles and each frailty measure during follow-up (median 38-39 months). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, with the GDF15 tertile groups as the explanatory variables, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident frailty were calculated after adjusting for covariates and using the lowest tertile group as the reference. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 25.6% and 34.0% of patients developed frailty, as defined by the mCHS and KCL, respectively. The highest GDF15 tertile group had a significantly higher incidence of mCHS- or KCL-defined frailty than the lowest GDF15 tertile group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the adjusted HRs for incident mCHS- and KCL-defined frailty in the highest GDF15 tertile group were 3.9 (95% CI: 1.3-12.0) and 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1-6.9), respectively. CONCLUSION: High serum GDF15 levels predicted the incidence of frailty among older adults with cardiometabolic diseases and could be an effective marker of the risk for frailty in interventions aimed at preventing frailty, such as exercise and nutrition.

Relationship between blood pressure and cognitive impairment in elderly outpatients with cardiometabolic diseases.

AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between high or low blood pressure (BP) and cognitive function in elderly outpatients with cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS: We evaluated the association between BP and the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System-21 items (DASC-21), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool (MoCA) (N = 677). RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 79.2 ± 6.3 years (male 35.3%), and BP was 132.1 ± 18.1/73.5 ± 12.2 mmHg. Systolic BP (SBP) was linearly related to the DASC-21 score (r = -0.122, P = 0.004), but not to the MMSE score (P = 0.101) or MoCA score (P = 0.802). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that lower SBP was significantly related to the DASC-21 score, even after controlling for confounding factors (B = -0.411 per 10 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.673 to -0.149; P = 0.002). Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed that lower SBP was associated with DASC-21 ≥ 31 (odds ratio = 0.838 per 10 mmHg, P = 0.048). An MMSE score ≤23 was significantly associated with higher SBP in patients without a history of hypertension but with lower SBP in those with hypertension, those on hypertensive medication, and those with dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: Higher BP was associated with a higher prevalence of probable dementia in those without a history of hypertension, even in late life. In those with hypertension and those taking antihypertensives with comorbidities of stroke or heart failure, lower BP was associated with probable dementia, which was largely dependent on reduced activities of daily living, as measured by the DASC-21 score. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 110-117.

Categorization using the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-Based Integrated Care System 8-items (DASC-8) based on cognitive function and activities of daily living predicts frailty, disability and mortality in older adults.

AIM: This longitudinal study aimed to determine whether categorization by the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 8-items (DASC-8) is associated with risk of frailty onset, disability, and mortality. METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal data from outpatients aged 65 years and older evaluated for the DASC-8 at the Frailty Clinic. The outcomes during the 3-year follow-up period were (Study A) frailty onset (Kihon Checklist ≥8) and (Study B) disability (new certification of nursing care needs) or mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to examine independent associations between the DASC-8 category and outcomes, and hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated after adjustment for age, sex, and the presence or absence of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. RESULTS: (Study A) Out of the 216 patients without frailty in Categories I or II at baseline, 40 (20.4%) and 11 (55.0%) developed frailty, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio was 3.62 (95% CI: 1.69-7.76, P < 0.001). (Study B) Out of the 350 patients who did not require long-term care at baseline, disability or death occurred for 20 (7.3%) in Category I, 14 (23.0%) in Category II, and 9 (56.3%) in Category III. The adjusted hazard ratios were 2.40 (Category I vs. II; 95% CI: 1.13-5.11, P = 0.023) and 5.43 (Category I vs. III; 95% CI: 2.23-13.3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Categorization according to DASC-8 is associated with the risk of frailty, disability, and mortality in older patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 150-155.

Automated office blood pressure measurement with the assistance of an instructional video in patients with hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurement often requires assistance. Accompanied by an instructional video, AOBP measurement could be performed independently by patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients with hypertension were enrolled. AOBP was measured three times at 1-min intervals after 5 min of rest by an automated BP measurement device with the assistance of an animated instructional video. The video was designed originally to instruct patients on the way to measure BP appropriately. Perceived stress was evaluated using a questionnaire after the AOBP measurement. Office BP was measured three times using the same device. Home BP measurement was performed on 5 consecutive days. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 74.5 ±â€…10.6 years, and 96% were taking antihypertensive drugs. Mean AOBP, office BP and home BP measurements were 135.2 ±â€…17.2/81.3 ±â€…11.1, 139.3 ±â€…16.3/78.6 ±â€…10.9 and 129.2 ±â€…16.7/72.7 ±â€…8.9 mmHg, respectively. Regarding SBP, the mean AOBP was significantly lower than office BP ( P  = 0.005) and higher than home BP ( P  = 0.004). The differences in SBP and DBP between AOBP and home BP measurements were significantly related to patients' perceived stress when performing AOBP measurements ( r  = 0.289; P  = 0.013 and r  = 0.328; P  = 0.004). In a multivariate analysis, patients' perceived stress was a significant predictor of the difference between AOBP and home BP ( P  = 0.013), even after adjusting for age, sex, BMI and mean of AOBP and home BP. CONCLUSION: AOBP values measured with the assistance of an instructional video were between conventional office and home BP measurements. Perceived stress during AOBP measurement was related to the difference in AOBP from home BP.

[A case of deep vein thrombosis in an elderly patient whose symptoms were exacerbated after applying catheter-based thrombolytic therapy].

We herein report a 99-year-old woman with hypertension and dyslipidemia. From the beginning of August 20XX, significant edema from the left thigh to the toes had been observed, so she had consulted her previous doctor. She had been suspected of having cellulitis and was given antibiotics, but no improvement in her symptoms was noted, so she was transferred to our hospital. The edema of the lower leg was localized to the left lower leg only, and the D-dimer level was as high as 16.6 µg/mL at her visit to the emergency room, so deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was suspected, and the patient received immediate hospitalization. Continuous administration of undifferentiated heparin was started, and lower extremity venous ultrasound was performed. As a result, central-type DVT extending from the left iliac vein to the common iliac vein bifurcation was observed. However, despite administering inferior vena cava (IVC) filter into under the renal vein, and changing heparin to edoxaban 30 mg, no improvement in the lower limb edema was observed. Therefore, catheter-based thrombolysis (CDT) was started on day 11 of illness, and continuous administration of urokinase was started via the catheter. Heparin and edoxaban were not used in combination in order to reduce the risk of bleeding. The edema gradually improved, and after confirming that the thrombus had completely disappeared on lower extremity venous ultrasound, the catheter was removed on day 14 (day 24 of illness) after starting CDT. The IVC filter was also removed, and prescription of edoxaban 30 mg was restarted. Since the patient had used a walking frame at home, she started rehabilitation from the initiation of CDT therapy and was discharged once she was able to use a self-sustaining portable toilet. The basic treatment for DVT is anticoagulant therapy; however, a large amount of thrombosis was observed in the present case, and no marked improvement was observed with conventional anticoagulant therapy. As the patient was particularly elderly, and considering that it was important to improve the edema promptly in order to maintain her activities of daily living, we performed CDT treatment and concluded that it was very effective in this case. However, the CDT procedure for DVT has yet to be standardized, and there are few cases of CDT treatment, especially for such super-elderly patients. In the current aging society, the incidence of DVT diseases is increasing, and in cases such as the present case, anticoagulation therapy alone and CDT therapy should be considered and implemented after careful consideration of the bleeding risk.

Changes in blood pressure associated with frailty and sarcopenia in elderly outpatients with cardiometabolic diseases.

AIM: We aimed to examine the relationship between changes in clinic blood pressure (BP) and frailty and sarcopenia in elderly outpatients with cardiometabolic disease. METHODS: In 691 elderly outpatients with cardiometabolic diseases, the associations of frailty according to the modified Japanese Cardiovascular Health Study score (J-CHS) and Kihon Checklist (KCL) criteria with clinic BP were evaluated at baseline and followed up for 3 years. RESULTS: Among the patients (79.2 ± 6.3 years, male 35.6%), 30.4% had frailty by the J-CHS criteria and 38.0% by the KCL criteria. A J-curve relationship was observed between BP and frailty; the prevalence of frailty was the lowest in patients with systolic BP (SBP) 119.5-130.5 mmHg and in those with diastolic BP (DBP) 72.0-80.5 mmHg. Frailty by the J-CHS criteria correlated with lower DBP (OR = 0.892 per 5 mmHg increase, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.819-0.972, P = 0.009), whereas that by the KCL criteria correlated with lower SBP (OR = 0.872 per 10 mmHg increase, 95% CI 0.785-0.969, P = 0.011) in multivariate-adjusted models. In patients with frailty by the J-CHS criteria at baseline, changes in DBP (OR = 0.921 per 1 mmHg change, 95% CI 0.851-0.996, P = 0.038) were associated with sustained frailty 1 year later. Changes in DBP were associated with progression to a slow walking speed 1 year later (OR = 0.939, 95% CI 0.883-0.999, P = 0.047). Changes in SBP (OR = 0.928, 95% CI 0.878-0.981, P = 0.008) and DBP (OR = 0.926, 95% CI 0.859-0.997, P = 0.042) were associated with progression to a weak hand grip strength 3 years later. CONCLUSION: A J-curve relationship was observed between frailty and BP, and a decline in BP was associated with progression to a slow walking speed and weak hand grip strength in elderly outpatients with cardiometabolic diseases. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 506-516.

Association between physical performance during sit-to-stand motion and frailty in older adults with cardiometabolic diseases: a cross-sectional, longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Although physical performance tests of the lower extremities are used to assess sarcopenia and frailty, little is known about the mechanisms by which the parameters of ground reaction force (GRF) measured during sit-to-stand motion affect the frailty status in older adults. We aimed to examine the association between GRF parameters during sit-to-stand motion and the incidence of frailty in older adults. METHODS: This longitudinal study evaluated 319 outpatients aged ≥ 65 years with cardiometabolic diseases. The GRF parameters were measured using a motor function analyzer, in which the power, speed, and balance scores were calculated. Frailty was diagnosed using the modified version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (mCHS) and the Kihon Checklist (KCL). The independent associations between scores and frailty indices were assessed using multivariate binomial logistic regression analyses. Cox regression analysis was used to examine whether power and speed scores were associated with the incidence of frailty after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses adjusted for covariates showed that the power and speed scores were associated with frailty according to the mCHS criteria (power: OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.22-0.63; speed: OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.52-0.79) and KCL criteria (power: OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.26-0.62; speed: OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69-0.96) at baseline. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that the area under the curve values of power and speed scores for discriminating mCHS-defined frailty were 0.72 and 0.73. The Cox regression analysis showed that the speed score predicted the incidence of mCHS-defined (HR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.22-0.92, P = 0.029) and KCL-defined (HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60-0.99, P = 0.039) frailty, whereas the power score was associated with the incidence of KCL-defined frailty (HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55-0.95, P = 0.02) after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The speed and power scores measured during sit-to-stand motion are predictive of frailty in older adults with cardiometabolic disease. Therefore, the GRF parameters measured during sit-to-stand motion could be an important indicator of frailty. Further studies are necessary to examine whether the GRF parameters can be improved by exercise or whether the changes in these parameters are associated with the improvement of frailty status.

Age and sex differences in the risk of cardiovascular diseases by chronic kidney disease in a general Japanese population.

The risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by chronic kidney disease (CKD) stratified by age and sex has not been examined in detail in rural Japanese populations. Therefore, we herein investigated the long-term risk of CVD by CKD and performed an age- and sex-stratified risk analysis. We examined 5163 subjects who underwent health screening between 1992 and 1995 with calculated eGFR and follow-up information on CVD events. The mean follow-up period was 10 years. We analyzed the incidences of CVD events, including stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). We compared the risk of CVD between subjects with and without CKD using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for well-known CVD confounding factors. The total number of CVD events was 175. The hazard ratios (HRs) for all events, stroke, MI, and sudden death by CKD relative to non-CKD were 1.18 (95% C.I.:0.83-1.68), 0.96 (0.63-1.46), 3.02 (1.2-7.62), and 1.29 (0.43-3.87), respectively. HRs for MI were 7.24 in subjects < 65 years and 1.65 in those ≥ 65 years. HRs for MI by sex were 3.55 in men and 2.09 in women. A younger age and men sex were identified as independent risk factors for the risk of MI in the presence of CKD. These results suggest that among CKD patients, the management of a younger age group and men will effectively prevent MI.

Current topics of frailty in association with hypertension and other medical conditions.

Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to stress resulting from physiological decline associated with aging. Topics of hypertension management and its association with frailty and cognitive function, recent studies of coronavirus disease 2019 infection (COVID-19) in elderly is discussed in this narrative review. While various guidelines for hypertension recommend that frailty is taken into account in treatment decisions, specific assessment tools and clinical decision criteria have not been explicitly established. Hypertension is prevalent in frail individuals, although a direct association has not been reported. Therefore, optimal blood pressure (BP) control is critical for managing cardiovascular risk reduction and preserving quality of life in frail hypertensive patients. BP typically decreases in later life or situations in which patients are dependent on nursing care. Mortality is reported to be high among frail patients with lower BP, raising questions about appropriate BP targets for frail patients. Cognitive decline is one of the domains of frailty, and is associated with a loss of autonomy, lack of self-management, and compromised quality of life. It remains to be clarified whether antihypertensive treatment is beneficial for cognitive function especially in older individuals. Increased severity and mortality of COVID-19 infection has been reported in older people. Clinical manifestations and biomarkers particular to older patients, and lifestyle changes including social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic is reported. From the knowledge from recent literatures, future perspectives for holistic approach and management of frail older people is addressed.

Determinants of depressive symptoms in older outpatients with cardiometabolic diseases in a Japanese frailty clinic: Importance of bidirectional association between depression and frailty.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty and depression may play important roles in the management of older patients with cardiometabolic diseases. We explored the determinants of depressive symptoms and their association with frailty among patients with cardiometabolic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation) in a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 633 outpatients aged 65 years or older with cardiometabolic disease and suspected symptoms of frailty participated in this study. Depressive symptoms, physical activity, and social network were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)-15, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), respectively. Frailty was evaluated using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) based on the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), the modified Cardiovascular Health Study (mCHS), and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the determinants of depressive symptoms and their association with frailty. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms with GDS-15 scores ≥ 5 were present in 43.6% of the patients. In logistic regression, after adjusting for covariates, the determinants of depressive symptoms in all patients were lack of social network, low years of education, and frailty. In contrast, in logistic regression with frailty as the dependent variable, depressive symptoms were independently associated KCL-defined frailty (OR = 6.28, 95% CI: 4.13-9.55) and mCHS-defined frailty (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.70-4.17), but not with CFS. Similarly, significant associations between depression and frailty were observed in patients with hypertension, diabetes, or atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of social networks, low education, and frailty based on the KCL and mCHS were important determinants of depressive symptoms in all patients. The relatively strong associations between depressive symptoms and frailty based on CGA in patients with hypertension, diabetes, or atrial fibrillation suggest that the assessment of depressive symptoms is of great importance in clinical practice in those patients at high risk of frailty.

Short-term effects of transcatheter aortic valve replacement on blood pressure and cardiac function in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a standard treatment for elderly and high-risk patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS); however, its short-term effects on blood pressure (BP) and cardiac function are not clear. Therefore, we aimed to determine the short-term effects of TAVR in elderly patients (>75 years), who reflect the clinical situation in Japan. METHOD AND RESULTS: Twenty-eight consecutive elderly patients with severe AS and hypertension who underwent TAVR under general anesthesia were retrospectively investigated. All patients had hypertension that was well controlled with antihypertensive drugs. Serum brain natriuretic peptide level and peak velocity in the aortic valve were significantly reduced. TAVR induces an increase in BP that requires additional antihypertensive agents. There was no correlation between the change rate of SBP and stroke volume index (SVI), but there was a positive correlation between the rate of change in pulse pressure (PP) and SVI. This tendency was particularly observed in patients with low brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). CONCLUSION: We observed post-TAVR hypertension and required additional antihypertensive drugs. The increases in SVI and PP after TAVR resulted in post-TAVR hypertension. Moreover, post-TAVR hypertension is less likely to occur in elderly patients with a high baPWV, which indicates advanced arteriosclerosis.

[Posture-dependent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in a case of Lewy body dementia that presented with transient loss of consciousness].

An 80-year-old woman with a history of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and Lewy body dementia was admitted to our hospital with a first episode of syncope while walking. The pressure gradient of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) had been stable at nearly 10 mmHg for 3 years before the admission. We evaluated the cause of syncope. Echocardiography showed that the pressure gradient of LVOT was unchanged, even in the supine position ergometer exercise test. Although the head-up tilt test revealed a drop in blood pressure of 44 mmHg systolic and 23 mmHg diastolic, she was asymptomatic during the test. The orthostatic hypotension was considered to be a manifestation of autonomic failure due to Lewy body dementia; however, it was insufficient to explain the syncope on exertion. Echocardiography in a sitting-up position showed that the pressure gradient of LVOT was exacerbated to 41 mmHg, which might be the cause of syncope while walking. Orthostatic hypotension, especially in patients with Lewy body dementia, is a common cause of syncope in the elderly. However, we should keep in mind that the exacerbation of LVOT obstruction due to posture-dependent fluid shift can be a cause of syncope in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or sigmoid-shaped interventricular septum. In such patients, echocardiography in a sitting-up position can be an effective tool to diagnose the cause of syncope.