Using magnetic resonance imaging to measure head muscles: An innovative method to opportunistically determine muscle mass and detect sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is associated with multiple adverse outcomes. Traditional methods to determine low muscle mass for the diagnosis of sarcopenia are mainly based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioelectrical impedance analysis. These tests are not always available and are rather time consuming and expensive. However, many brain and head diseases require a head MRI. In this study, we aim to provide a more accessible way to detect sarcopenia by comparing the traditional method of DXA lean mass estimation versus the tongue and masseter muscle mass assessed in a standard brain MRI. METHODS: The H70 study is a longitudinal study of older people living in Gothenburg, Sweden. In this cross-sectional analysis, from 1203 participants aged 70 years at baseline, we included 495 with clinical data and MRI images available. We used the appendicular lean soft tissue index (ALSTI) in DXA images as our reference measure of lean mass. Images from the masseter and tongue were analysed and segmented using 3D Slicer. For the statistical analysis, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used, and concordance was estimated with the Kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 495 participants, of which 52.3% were females. We found a significant correlation coefficient between both tongue (0.26) and masseter (0.33) with ALSTI (P < 0.001). The sarcopenia prevalence confirmed using the alternative muscle measure in MRI was calculated using the ALSTI (tongue = 2.0%, masseter = 2.2%, ALSTI = 2.4%). Concordance between sarcopenia with masseter and tongue versus sarcopenia with ALSTI as reference has a Kappa of 0.989 (P < 0.001) for masseter and a Kappa of 1 for the tongue muscle (P < 0.001). Comorbidities evaluated with the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale were significantly associated with all the muscle measurements: ALSTI (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.26, P < 0.001), masseter (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.26, P < 0.001) and tongue (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.22, P = 0.002); the higher the comorbidities, the higher the probability of having abnormal muscle mass. CONCLUSIONS: ALSTI was significantly correlated with tongue and masseter muscle mass. When performing the sarcopenia diagnostic algorithm, the prevalence of sarcopenia calculated with head muscles did not differ from sarcopenia calculated using DXA, and almost all participants were correctly classified using both methods.

Does the association between smoking and mortality differ due to frailty status? A secondary analysis from the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

BACKGROUND: despite the well-known adverse health effects of smoking, evidence of these effects on frail individuals is still scarce. AIMS: to assess whether frailty influences the association between smoking and mortality. METHODS: individuals ≥50 years from the Mexican Health and Aging Study were analysed. Mortality rates from a 17-year follow-up were compared between smoking status groups (never, previous and current) and other smoking behaviour-related characteristics (pack-years, age commenced and cessation). Baseline variables were included to adjust the Cox regression models. First, models were adjusted for the whole sample, including an interaction term between the frailty index (FI) and smoking variables. A second set of models were stratified by FI levels: 0.00-0.10, 0.11-0.20, 0.21-0.30 and ≥ 0.31. RESULTS: from a total 14,025 individuals, mean age was 62.4 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 62.1-62.8) and 53.9% were women (95% CI: 52.4-55.6). Main results from the survival analyses showed that when including FI interaction term with smoking status, comparing current to never smoking, the hazard ratio (HR) was 2.03 (95% CI: 1.07-3.85, P = 0.029), and comparing current to previous smoking, the HR was 2.13 (95% CI: 1.06-4.26, P = 0.032). Models stratified by FI levels showed a significant HR only for the two highest level groups. Similar results were found for the smoking behaviour-related characteristics. DISCUSSION: our results suggest that frailty could modify smoking mortality risk. Other smoking characteristics were impacted by frailty, in particular, cessation. It was noteworthy that having ≥10 years of tobacco cessation was beneficial for frail individuals. CONCLUSIONS: smoking has a higher toll on frail individuals, but ceasing is still beneficial for this group.

Gasto de bolsillo en salud durante el último año de vida de adultos mayores mexicanos: análisis del Enasem / Out of pocket expenditure on health during the last year of life of Mexican elderly: analysis of the Enasem

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar el gasto de bolsillo (GB) durante el último año de vida en adultos mayores (AM) mexicanos. Material y métodos: Estimación del GB del último año de vida de AM, ajustando por tipo de manejo, afiliación y causa de muerte. Se emplearon datos del Estudio Nacional de Salud y Envejecimiento en México (2012). Los gastos en medicamentos, consultas médicas y hospitalización durante el año previo a la muerte conforman el GB. El GB se ajustó por inflación y se reporta en dólares americanos 2018. Resultados: La media de GB fue $6 255.3±18 500. En el grupo de atención ambulatoria el GB fue $4 134.9±13 631.3. El GB en hospitalización fue $7 050.6±19 971.0. Conclusiones: La probabilidad de incurrir en GB es menor cuando no se requiere hospitalización. Con hospitalización, la afiliación a la seguridad social y atenderse en hospitales públicos juega un papel protector.

Abstract: Objective: To estimate the out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) during the last year of life in Mexican older adults (OA). Materials and methods: Estimation of the OOPE corresponding to the last year of life of OA, adjusting by type of management, affiliation and cause of death. Data from the National Health and Aging Study in Mexico (2012) were used. To calculate the total OOPE, the expenses in the last year were used in: medications, medical consultations and hospitalization. The OOPE was adjusted for inflation and is reported in US dollars 2018. Results: The mean OOPE was $6 255.3±18 500. In the ambulatory care group, the OOPE was $4 134.9±13 631.3. The OOPE in hospitalization was $7 050.6±19 971.0. Conclusions: The probability of incurre in OOPE is lower when hospitalization is not required. With hospitalization, affiliation to social security and attending to public hospitals plays a protective role.

Asociación entre fuerza de prensión y comorbilidades: estudio SABE, Ecuador, 2009 / Association between Grip Strength and Comorbidities: SABE Ecuador 2009 Study / Associação entre força de preensão e comorbidades: estudo SABE, Equador, 2009

Resumen Introducción : el aumento de enfermedades crónicas ha motivado la creación de métodos de evaluación del adulto mayor que permitan estimar su estado general de salud. Entre estos, se ha propuesto la fuerza de prensión. El objetivo de este estudio fue buscar la asociación entre el número de comorbilidades y la fuerza de prensión. Materiales y métodos : se analizaron los datos del estudio SABE Ecuador 2009, un estudio transversal que incluyó una muestra probabilística y representativa de 5235 adultos mayores de 60 años o más. La variable dependiente fue el desempeño en la fuerza de prensión y la sumatoria de comorbilidades, como la variable independiente. Se realizó un modelo de regresión logística lineal para estimar asociaciones independientes. Resultados: de un total de 5235 personas, la media de la suma de comorbilidades fue 1.54 ± 1.36 y la media de la fuerza de prensión fue de 21.45 ± 9.37 kg. Se encontró una asociación negativa de la fuerza de prensión y la suma de comorbilidades, desde 0 comorbilidades -0.88, hasta más de 6 comorbilidades -3.52 (p < 0.05). Ninguna enfermedad por sí sola tuvo mayor asociación con la disminución de la fuerza muscular que el tener más de dos enfermedades concomitantes. Conclusiones: este estudio encontró una asociación lineal negativa entre la fuerza de prensión y la sumatoria de comorbilidades. Los resultados reportados abren la puerta para plantear nuevos estudios que permitan desarrollar herramientas de evaluación que beneficien a la población adulta mayor.

Abstract Introduction : The increase of chronic pathologies is a consequence of the demographic transition which represents a challenge for current societies. Concurrently this motivated the development of new methods for evaluating the elderly which allow estimating their health state of health, that amongst others include the grip strength. The objective of this study was to look for the association between the number of present comorbidities and the grip strength. Materials and Methods : We analyzed data from SABE Ecuador 2009 study, a cross-sectional study that includes a probabilistic and representative sample of 5235 older adults of 60 years or older living in the community. The dependent variable was the performance in the grip strength and the sum of comorbidities as the independent variable. A linear logistic regression model was used to estimate independent associations. Results : Out of a total of 5235 people, the mean of the sum of comorbidities was 1.54 ± 1.36, and the average of the grip strength was 21.45kg ± 9.37 kg. We found a negative linear association of the grip strength and the sum of comorbidities, from one comorbidity -0.88 up to more than six comorbidities -3.52 (p <0.05). No disease by itself had a higher association with the decrease in muscle strength than having two or more concomitant afflictions. Conclusions : This study found a negative association between grip strength and the presence of comorbidities. Our results open the door to propose new studies to develop assessment tools that benefit the elderly population.

Resumo Introdução : o aumento de doenças crônicas tem motivado a criação de métodos de avaliação do idoso que permitam estimar seu estado geral de saúde. Entre estes se tem proposto a força de preensão. O objetivo deste estudo foi buscar a associação entre o número de comorbidades e a força de preensão. Materiais e métodos : analisamos dados do estudo SABE Equador 2009, um estudo transversal que incluiu uma amostra probabilística e representativa de 5235 idosos de 60 anos ou mais. A variável dependente foi o desempenho na força de preensão e a somatória de comorbidades como a variável independente. Resultados : de um total de 5235 pessoas, a média da soma de comorbidades foi 1.54 ± 1.36 e a média da força de preensão foi de 45 ± 9.37 kg. Se encontrou uma associação negativa da força de preensão e a soma de comorbidades, desde 0 comorbidades -0.88 até mais de 6 comorbidades -3.52 (p < 0.05). nenhuma doença por si só teve maior associação com a diminuição da força muscular que obter mais de duas doenças concomitantes. Conclusões : este estudo encontrou uma associação linear negativa entre a força de preensão e a somatória de comorbidades. Os resultados reportados abrem a porta para expor novos estudos que permitam desenvolver ferramentas de avaliação que beneficiem à população idosa.

Sarcopenia, lung disease and mortality: a secondary analysis of the CRELES study / Sarcopenia, doença pulmonar e mortalidade: uma análise secundária do estudo CRELES

AIM: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pro-inflammatory condition leading to wasting states such as sarcopenia. We aimed to describe the effect of COPD and sarcopenia on mortality in Costa Rican older adults in the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES). METHOD: This is a secondary analysis of the CRELES, a cohort study consisting of three waves of interviews. For the current study, data from the first and third waves were used. The dependent variable was survival status. COPD and sarcopenia were independent variables. Bivariate analyses were used to compare mortality curves for each group. Association with 3-year mortality was tested with Cox regression models, and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated as a measure of the strength of association. RESULTS: Of a total of 2704 participants, 54.29% (n = 1468) were women. Overall mortality was 9.05%. Sarcopenic older adults had the strongest association with mortality (HR = 2.65; 95%CI, 1.81­3.90; p < 0.001), followed by those with both COPD and sarcopenia (HR = 2.59; 95%CI, 1.37­4.92; p = 0.003). The weakest association with mortality was found in patients with neither COPD nor sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The synergistic effect of sarcopenia and COPD has been shown to independently increase mortality in older patients. Our results may be applicable to both Latin American residents and subjects of Hispanic descent living in developed countries. Sarcopenia should be assessed in all patients with COPD since the latter is not a disease limited to the lungs, but rather a systemic disease.

OBJETIVO: A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) é uma condição pró-inflamatória que conduz a estados de perda como a sarcopenia. Nosso objetivo foi descrever o efeito da DPOC e da sarcopenia sobre a mortalidade em idosos costa-riquenhos do estudo Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES). MÉTODO: Esta é uma análise secundária do CRELES, um estudo de coorte composto por três ondas de entrevistas. Para o presente estudo, foram utilizados dados da primeira e terceira ondas. A variável dependente foi o status de sobrevida. DPOC e sarcopenia foram variáveis independentes. Foram realizadas análises bivariadas para comparar as curvas de mortalidade para cada grupo. Testou-se a associação à mortalidade em 3 anos com modelos de regressão de Cox, e razões de risco (HR) com intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95% foram estimadas como medida da força da associação. RESULTADOS: De um total de 2704 participantes, 54,29% (n = 1468) eram mulheres. A mortalidade geral foi 9,05%. Idosos sarcopênicos apresentaram a associação mais forte à mortalidade (HR = 2,65; IC95%, 1,81­3,90; p < 0,001), seguidos por aqueles com DPOC e sarcopenia (HR = 2,59; IC95%, 1,37­4,92; p = 0,003). A associação mais fraca à mortalidade foi encontrada em pacientes sem DPOC e sarcopenia. CONCLUSÕES: Demonstrou-se que o efeito sinérgico da sarcopenia e da DPOC aumenta de forma independente a mortalidade em pacientes idosos. Nossos resultados podem ser aplicáveis a residentes latino-americanos e a descendentes de hispânicos que vivem em países desenvolvidos. A sarcopenia deve ser avaliada em todos os pacientes com DPOC, visto que esta não é uma doença limitada aos pulmões, mas sim uma doença sistêmica.

Vitamin D deficiency in older adults and its associated factors: a cross-sectional analysis of the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

Vitamin D deficiency was common in older adults from a country with adequate sun exposure. The variables associated with this deficiency provide insight into the next steps needed to characterize older adults with this deficiency and to treat it accordingly. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of and factors associated with vitamin D deficiency among Mexican older adults. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the last wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study. Vitamin D levels along with other biomarkers were obtained from a sub-sample of Mexican adults older than 60 years. Prevalence was described by sex and age group, and a multivariate analysis was performed to test the factors associated with this condition. RESULTS: Data from 1088 adults over the age of 60 years were analyzed. The mean serum vitamin D level was 23.1 ± 8.1 ng/mL and was significantly higher among men than women (25.6 ± 0.6 and 22.8 ± 0.5 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). In total, 37.3% (n = 406) presented with vitamin D deficiency, 65% of whom were women. Low 25-(OH)-vitamin D levels were associated with female sex (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.59-2.42), current smoking (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.47-3.39), education (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.06-1.13), physical activity (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.31-2.23), and high levels of glycated hemoglobin (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in Mexican older adults and was associated with a number of factors, indicating the multifactorial causality of this deficiency.

Collective violence and the health of the elderly: a cross-sectional analysis of a population-based national survey in Mexico / La violencia colectiva y la salud de los adultos mayores: análisis transversal de una encuesta nacional de población en México / Violência coletiva e saúde do idoso: análise transversal de um inquérito nacional de base populacional no México

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the association between collective violence and the health of older adults in Mexico. Methods The data analyzed were taken from a Mexican population-based national survey of health and nutrition that included a representative sample of adults over 60 years of age and from an index of violence for each of the states of Mexico that was compiled by a major research center. Five of the most common geriatric ailments (weight loss, depressive symptoms, falls, positive affectivity, and disability) were crossed with the violence index score assigned to each state. Results A total of 7 108 older adults were included in the analysis. Among the five geriatric health problems, weight loss had the strongest association with violence, even when an adjusted model was used. For weight loss, that association increased as the level of collective violence rose. With the adjusted model, there was also an association of severe collective violence with disability and with low positive affectivity. Conclusions Our results show that there is an association of collective violence with weight loss and other geriatric problems. Collective violence could indirectly affect individuals' health, especially older persons and other vulnerable groups.

RESUMEN Objetivo Describir la asociación entre la violencia colectiva y la salud de los adultos mayores en México. Métodos Los datos analizados se tomaron de una encuesta nacional de salud y nutrición de la población mexicana que incluía una muestra representativa de adultos mayores de 60 años y de un índice de violencia para cada uno de los estados de México, compilado por un importante centro de investigación. Se cruzaron cinco de las dolencias geriátricas más frecuentes (pérdida de peso, síntomas depresivos, caídas, afectividad positiva baja y discapacidad) con la puntuación del índice de violencia de cada estado. Resultados En el análisis se incluyó un total de 7 108 adultos mayores. De los cinco problemas de salud geriátricos, la pérdida de peso reveló la asociación más fuerte con la violencia, incluso cuando se utilizó un modelo ajustado. Esa asociación aumentaba a medida que se elevaba el nivel de violencia colectiva. Con el modelo ajustado también se observó una asociación de la violencia colectiva grave con la discapacidad y con una afectividad positiva baja. Conclusiones Nuestros resultados indican que existe una asociación entre la violencia colectiva y la pérdida de peso y otros problemas geriátricos. La violencia colectiva podría afectar indirectamente la salud de las personas, especialmente los adultos mayores y las personas de otros grupos vulnerables.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a associação entre a violência coletiva e a saúde do idoso no México. Métodos Os dados analisados foram obtidos de um inquérito nacional de base populacional de saúde e nutrição conduzido no México com uma amostra representativa da população adulta acima de 60 anos de idade e com base em estimativas dos índices de violência dos estados mexicanos fornecidas por um grande centro de pesquisa. Cinco problemas geriátricos mais comuns (perda de peso, sintomas depressivos, quedas, afetividade positiva e incapacidade) foram examinados em relação ao índice de violência de cada estado. Resultados A análise incluiu uma amostra de 7.108 idosos. Dentre os cinco problemas geriátricos, a perda de peso teve a associação mais expressiva com a violência, mesmo após o uso de um modelo ajustado. Esta associação aumentou com o nível de violência coletiva. No modelo ajustado, verificou-se também a associação de alto nível de violência coletiva com incapacidade e baixa afetividade positiva. Conclusões Este estudo demonstra existir uma associação entre violência coletiva e perda de peso e outros problemas geriátricos. A violência coletiva possivelmente exerceria uma influência indireta na saúde da população, sobretudo de idosos e outros grupos vulneráveis.

Cancer and frailty in older adults: a nested case-control study of the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

PURPOSE: Understanding how the convergence between chronic and complex diseases-such as cancer-and emerging conditions of older adults-such as frailty-takes place would help in halting the path that leads to disability in this age group. The objective of this manuscript is to describe the association between a past medical history of cancer and frailty in Mexican older adults. METHODS: This is a nested in cohort case-control study of the Mexican Health and Aging Study. Frailty was categorized by developing a 55-item frailty index that was also used to define cases in two ways: incident frailty (incident >0.25 frailty index score) and worsening frailty (negative residuals from a regression between 2001 and 2012 frailty index scores). Exposition was defined as self-report of cancer between 2001 and 2012. Older adults with a cancer history were further divided into recently diagnosed (<10 years) and remotely diagnosed (>10 years from the initial diagnosis). Odds ratios were estimated by fitting a logistic regression adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: Out of a total of 8022 older adults with a mean age of 70.6 years, the prevalence of a past medical history of cancer was 3.6 % (n = 288). Among these participants, 45.1 % had been diagnosed with cancer more than 10 years previously. A higher risk of incident frailty compared to controls [odds ratio (OR) 1.53 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.04-2.26, p = 0.03); adjusted model OR 1.74 (95 % CI 1.15-2.61, p = 0.008)] was found in the group with a recent cancer diagnosis. Also, an inverse association between a remote cancer diagnosis and worsening frailty was found [OR = 0.56 (95 % CI 0.39-0.8), p = 0.002; adjusted model OR 0.61 (95 % CI 0.38-0.99, p = 0.046)]. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer is associated with a higher frailty index, with a potential relevant role of the time that has elapsed since the cancer diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors may be more likely to develop frailty or worsening of the health status at an older age. This relationship seems especially evident among individuals with a recent oncological diagnosis. Health professionals in charge of older adult care should be aware of this association in order to improve outcomes of older adults who survived cancer.