Bidimensional structure and measurement equivalence of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9: sex-sensitive assessment of depressive symptoms in three representative German cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) has been proposed as a reliable and valid screening instrument for depressive symptoms with one latent factor. However, studies explicitly testing alternative model structures found support for a two-dimensional structure reflecting a somatic and a cognitive-affective dimension. We investigated the bidimensional structure of the PHQ-9, with a somatic (sleeping problems, fatigability, appetitive problems, and psychomotor retardation) and a cognitive-affective dimension (lack of interest, depressed mood, negative feelings about self, concentration problems, and suicidal ideation), and tested for sex- and regional-differences. METHODS: We have included data from the GEnder-Sensitive Analyses of mental health trajectories and implications for prevention: A multi-cohort consortium (GESA). Privacy-preserving analyses to provide information on the overall population and cohort-specific information and analyses of variance to compare depressive, somatic and cognitive-affective symptoms between sexes and cohorts were executed in DataSHIELD. In order to determine the dimensionality and measurement invariance of the PHQ-9 we tested three models (1 factor, 2 correlated factors, and bifactor) via confirmatory analyses and performed multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Differences between sex and cohorts exist for PHQ-9 and for both of its dimensions. Women reported depressive symptoms in general as well as somatic and cognitive-affective symptoms more frequently. For all tested models an acceptable to excellent fit was found, consistently indicating a better model fit for the two-factor and bifactor model. Scalar measurement invariance was established between women and men, the three cohorts, and their interaction. CONCLUSIONS: The two facets of depression should be taken into account when using PHQ-9, while data also render support to a general factor. Somatic and cognitive-affective symptoms assessed by the PHQ-9 can be considered equivalent across women and men and between different German populations from different regions.

Living longer but less healthy: The female disadvantage in health expectancy. Results from the KORA-Age study.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the male-female health-survival paradox in the context of health expectancy (HE) at age 65 and thereafter, using three different morbidity measures and different severity cut-offs with and without adjustments for the share of nursing home residents. METHODS: HE at ages 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85 was estimated with the Sullivan method, linking morbidity prevalence from the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age study to 2016 Bavarian mortality data. Morbidity measures comprised deficit accumulation (Frailty Index, FI, cut-offs 0.08 and 0.25), disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, HAQ-DI, cut-off >0) and participation (Global Activity Limitation Indicator, GALI, "limited" vs "not limited"). RESULTS: Morbidity data were available for 4083 participants (52.7% female). HE was lower in women than in men at all ages. Differences in morbidity prevalence, absolute HE, and health proportions of life expectancy (relative HE) increased with age for FI ≥ 0.25 and GALI, but not for HAQ-DI > 0 and FI > 0.08. Accounting for the share of nursing home residents resulted in a slight reduction of HE estimates but had no impact on estimated sex differences. CONCLUSIONS: In HE at age 65 and thereafter, women's health disadvantage was larger than their life expectancy advantage over men.

Bone marrow fat fraction assessment in regard to physical activity: KORA FF4-3-T MR imaging in a population-based cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the effect of different degrees and kinds of physical activity on bone marrow fat (BMAT) content at different anatomical locations in a population-based cohort study undergoing whole-body MR imaging. METHODS: Subjects of the KORA FF4 study without known cardiovascular disease underwent BMAT fat fraction (FF) quantification in L1 and L2 vertebrae and femoral heads/necks (hip) via a 2-point T1-weighted VIBE Dixon sequence. BMAT-FF was calculated as mean value (fat image) divided by mean value (fat + water image). Physical activity was determined by self-assessment questionnaire regarding time spent exercising, non-exercise walking, non-exercise cycling, and job-related physical activity. RESULTS: A total of 385 subjects (96% of 400 available; 56 ± 9.1 years; 58% male) were included in the analysis. Exercise was distributed quite evenly (29% > 2 h/week; 31% ~ 1 h/week (regularly); 15% ~ 1 h/week (irregularly); 26% no physical activity). BMAT-FF was 52.6 ± 10.2% in L1, 56.2 ± 10.3% in L2, 87.4 ± 5.9% in the right hip, and 87.2 ± 5.9% in the left hip (all p < 0.001). Correlation of BMAT-FF between spine and hip was only moderate (r 0.42 to 0.46). Spinal BMAT-FF, but not hip BMAT-FF, was inversely associated with exercise > 2 h/week (p ≤ 0.02 vs. p ≥ 0.35, respectively). These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, waist circumference, and glucose tolerance. No coherent association was found between BMAT-FF and physical activity in the less active groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, exercise was inversely correlated with vertebral BMAT-FF, but not hip BMAT-FF, when exercising for more than 2 h per week. Physical activity seems to affect the spine at least preferentially compared to the hip. KEY POINTS: • In our population-based cohort, at least 2 h of physical activity per week were required to show lower levels of bone marrow adipose tissue fat fraction in MRI. • Physical activity seems to affect bone marrow adipose tissue at least preferentially at the spine in contrast to the proximal femur.

Being born in the aftermath of World War II increases the risk for health deficit accumulation in older age: results from the KORA-Age study.

Morbidity trends may result from cohort experiences in critical developmental age. Our objective was to compare the health status of 65-71 year-olds who were in critical developmental age before (1937-June 1945), during (June 1945-June 1948) and after (June 1948-1950) the early reconstruction and food crisis (ERFC) period in Germany following World War II. Data originate from the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age study in Southern Germany. We used the 2008 baseline sample born 1937-1943 and the 2015 enrichment sample born 1944-1950. Health status was assessed as the number of accumulated health deficits using a Frailty Index (FI). Cohorts were defined based on co-occurrence of critical developmental age (gestation and the first 2 years of life) and the ERFC period. Cohort, age and sex effects on older-age health status were analyzed using generalized linear models. We included 590 (53% male) pre-war and war (PWW), 475 (51% male) ERFC and 171 post-currency reform (PCR) cohort participants (46% male). Adjusted for covariates, FI levels were significantly higher for the ERFC (Ratio 1.14, CL [1.06, 1.23]) but not for the PCR (Ratio 1.06, CL [0.94, 1.20]) as compared to the PWW cohort. Being in critical developmental age during the ERFC period increased FI levels in adults aged 65-71 years. Covariates did not explain these effects, suggesting a direct detrimental effect from being in critical developmental age during the ERFC period on older-age health. This expansion of morbidity in Germany was not detected in the PCR cohort.

Feasibility of a three-step magnetic resonance imaging approach for the assessment of hepatic steatosis in an asymptomatic study population.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of a multi-step magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach for comprehensive assessment of hepatic steatosis defined as liver fat content of ≥5 % in an asymptomatic population. METHODS: The study was approved by the institutional review board and written informed consent of all participants was obtained. Participants of a population-based study cohort underwent a three-step 3-T MRI-based assessment of liver fat. A dual-echo Dixon sequence was performed to identify subjects with hepatic steatosis, followed by a multi-echo Dixon sequence with proton density fat fraction estimation. Finally, single-voxel T2-corrected multi-echo spectroscopy was performed. RESULTS: A total of 215 participants completed the MRI protocol (56.3 % male, average age 57.2 ± 9.4 years). The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 55 %. Mean liver proton density fat fraction was 9.2 ± 8.5 % by multi-echo Dixon and 9.3 ± 8.6 % by multi-echo spectroscopy (p = 0.51). Dual-echo Dixon overestimated liver fat fraction by 1.4 ± 2.0 % (p < 0.0001). All measurements showed excellent correlations (r ≥ 0.9, p < 0.001). Dual-echo Dixon was highly sensitive for the detection of hepatic steatosis (sensitivity 0.97, NPV 0.96) with good specificity and PPV (0.75 and 0.81, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A multi-step MRI approach may enable rapid and accurate identification of subjects with hepatic steatosis in an asymptomatic population. KEY POINTS: • Dual-echo Dixon can rapidly and reliably exclude hepatic steatosis without complex post-processing. • Multi-echo Dixon and multi-echo spectroscopy yield similar results regarding hepatic fat quantification. • Each sequence can be performed in one breath-hold. • These sequences can be implemented in routine abdominal MRI protocols. • Thus hepatic fat can be evaluated without relevant increase in scan time.

Neighborhood and healthy aging in a German city: distances to green space and senior service centers and their associations with physical constitution, disability, and health-related quality of life.

The composition of the residential environment may have an independent influence on health, especially in older adults. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the associations between proximity to two features of the residential environment (green space and senior service centers) and three aspects of healthy aging (self-rated physical constitution, disability, and health-related quality of life). We included 1711 inhabitants from the city of Augsburg, Germany, aged 65 years or older, who participated in the KORA-Age study conducted in 2008/2009. We calculated the Euclidian distances between each participant's residential address and the nearest green space or senior service center, using a geographic information system. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to analyze the associations, controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Contrary to expectations, we did not find clear associations between the distances to the nearest green space or senior service center and any of the examined aspects of healthy aging. The importance of living close to green space may largely depend on the study location. The city of Augsburg is relatively small (about 267,000 inhabitants) and has a high proportion of greenness. Thus, proximity to green space may not be as important as in a densely populated metropolitan area. Moreover, an objectively defined measure of access such as Euclidian distance may not reflect the actual use. Future studies should try to assess the importance of resources of the residential environment not only objectively, but also from the resident's perspective.

Impact of vertigo and dizziness on self-perceived participation and autonomy in older adults: results from the KORA-Age study.

PURPOSE: The impact of vertigo and dizziness on healthy ageing, and especially on participation, is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of vertigo and dizziness with self-perceived participation and autonomy in older non-institutionalised individuals, adjusted for the presence of other health conditions. Specifically, we wanted to investigate the different effects of vertigo and dizziness on specific components of participation, i.e. restrictions in indoor and outdoor autonomy, family role, social life and relationships, and work and education. METHODS: Data originate from the second wave of the German KORA-Age cohort study collected in 2012. Participation and autonomy was investigated with the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire. We used robust regression to analyse the association of vertigo and dizziness with self-perceived participation and autonomy adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: A total of 822 participants (49.6% female) had a mean age of 78.1 years (SD 6.39). Participation and autonomy were significantly lower in participants with vertigo and dizziness across all domains. Adjusted for age, sex, and chronic conditions, vertigo and dizziness were significantly associated with participation restrictions in all domains except social life and relationships. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that vertigo and dizziness contribute to restrictions in participation and autonomy in individuals of older age. Recognising vertigo and dizziness as independent contributors to loss of autonomy and decreased chances for independent living may create new options for patient care and population health, such as the designing of complex interventions to maintain participation and autonomy.

Burden of disability attributable to vertigo and dizziness in the aged: results from the KORA-Age study.

BACKGROUND: Complaints of vertigo and dizziness are common in primary care in the aged. They can be caused by distinct vestibular disorders, but can also be a symptom in other conditions like non-vestibular sensory loss, vascular encephalopathy or anxiety. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific contribution of vertigo and dizziness to the total burden of disability in aged persons when controlling for the presence of other health conditions. METHODS: Data originate from the MONICA/KORA study, a population-based cohort. Survivors of the original cohorts who were 65 years and older were examined by telephone interview in 2009. Disability was assessed with the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders and additive regression to estimate the contribution of vertigo and dizziness to disability prevalence. RESULTS: Adjusted for age, sex and other chronic conditions, vertigo and dizziness were associated with disability (odds ratio 1.66, 95% confidence intervals 1.40-1.98). In both men and women between 65 and 79 years, vertigo and dizziness were among the strongest contributors to the burden of disability with a prevalence of 10.5% (6.6 to 15.1) in men and 9.0% (5.7 to 13.0) in women. In men, this effect is stable across all age-groups, whereas it decreases with age in women. CONCLUSIONS: Vertigo and dizziness independently and relevantly contribute to population-attributable disability in the aged. They are not inevitable consequences of ageing but arise from distinct disease entities. Careful management of vertigo and dizziness might increase population health and reduce disability.

Relation between depressed mood, somatic comorbidities and health service utilisation in older adults: results from the KORA-Age study.

BACKGROUND: prior literature suggests that comorbidity with depression significantly worsens the health state of people with chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: the present study examines whether depressed mood increased medical care use for patients with a comorbid physical disease. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: the study was a population-based study (KORA-Age), with 3,938 participants aged 64-94. METHODS: we investigated differences in health services use in participants with and without depressed mood (Geriatric Depression Scale). A further adjustment for disease was done and differences were examined with the Mann-Whitney U test. The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for doctors' appointments or the number of days in hospital were explored with (zero-inflated) negative binomial regression models. RESULTS: there are increased self-neglecting behaviours and medical comorbidities in participants with depressed mood. Depressed mood increased participants' use of medical services (P < 0.0001). Among participants who visited the doctor during the last 3 months, those with depressed mood had more visits than those without depressed mood, irrespective of somatic comorbidities (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05 for ill and healthy, respectively). Additionally, patients with coexisting depressed mood and physical disease visited the doctor's practice significantly more often. Having depressed mood significantly increases the likelihood for more doctor visits (IRR = 1.5, CI = 1.3-1.7) and longer hospital stays (IRR = 1.9, CI = 1.6-2.3). In participants with somatic comorbidities the risk is even greater (IRR = 1.6, CI = 1.3-2, for the number of doctors visits and IRR = 2, CI = 1.4-2.9, for the number of days in the hospital). CONCLUSIONS: results suggest that patients with depressed mood had increased use of health-care services overall, particularly those with somatic comorbidities.