Intrinsic capacity trajectories and socioeconomic inequalities in health: the contributions of wealth, education, gender, and ethnicity.

BACKGROUND: Life-long health inequalities exert enduring impacts and are governed by social determinants crucial for achieving healthy aging. A fundamental aspect of healthy aging, intrinsic capacity, is the primary focus of this study. Our objective is to evaluate the social inequalities connected with the trajectories of intrinsic capacity, shedding light on the impacts of socioeconomic position, gender, and ethnicity. METHODS: Our dynamic cohort study was rooted in three waves (2009, 2014, 2017) of the World Health Organization's Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health in Mexico. We incorporated a nationally representative sample comprising 2722 older Mexican adults aged 50 years and over. Baseline measurements of socioeconomic position, gender, and ethnicity acted as the exposure variables. We evaluated intrinsic capacity across five domains: cognition, psychological, sensory, vitality, and locomotion. The Relative Index of Inequality and Slope Index of Inequality were used to quantify socioeconomic disparities. RESULTS: We discerned three distinct intrinsic capacity trajectories: steep decline, moderate decline, and slight increase. Significant disparities based on wealth, educational level, gender, and ethnicity were observed. Older adults with higher wealth and education typically exhibited a trajectory of moderate decrease or slight increase in intrinsic capacity. In stark contrast, women and indigenous individuals were more likely to experience a steeply declining trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the pressing need to address social determinants, minimize gender and ethnic discrimination to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities across the lifespan. It is imperative for policies and interventions to prioritize these social determinants in order to promote healthy aging and alleviate health disparities. This approach will ensure that specific demographic groups receive customized support to sustain their intrinsic capacity during their elder years.

Preferences for Conditional Economic Incentives to Improve Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Adherence: A Discrete Choice Experiment Among Male Sex Workers in Mexico.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV but requires sustained adherence. Conditional economic incentives (CEIs) can improve medication-taking behaviors, yet preferences for programs that employ CEIs to increase PrEP use among male sex workers (MSWs) have not been investigated. We conducted a discrete choice experiment in Mexico City to elicit stated preferences for a CEI-based PrEP adherence program among MSWs. Respondents expressed their preferences for different program characteristics: incentive amount; incentive format; incentive type; and adherence-verification method. We used a random utility logit model to estimate the relative importance of each attribute and estimated willingness-to-pay. MSWs preferred a higher, fixed incentive, with PrEP adherence measured via hair sampling. MSWs were willing to forego up to 21% of their potential maximum CEI amount to ensure receipt of a fixed payment. MSWs are highly willing to accept a CEI-based intervention for PrEP adherence, if offered along with fixed payments.

RESUMEN: La profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP) es muy eficaz para prevenir el VIH, pero requiere una adherencia sostenida. Los incentivos económicos condicionales (IEC) pueden mejorar los comportamientos de toma de medicamentos, sin embargo, no se han investigado las preferencias por los programas que emplean IEC para aumentar el uso de PrEP entre los trabajadores sexuales masculinos (TSM). Realizamos un experimento de elección discreta con TSM en la Ciudad de México para obtener preferencias declaradas para un programa de adherencia a la PrEP basado en IEC. Los participantes expresaron sus preferencias en cuanto a diferentes características: monto del incentivo; formato del incentivo; tipo de incentivo; y método de verificación de la adherencia. Utilizamos un modelo logit de utilidad aleatoria para estimar la importancia relativa de cada atributo y la disposición a pagar estimada (DAP). Los TSM prefirieron un incentivo fijo más alto, con la adherencia a la PrEP medida a través de muestras de cabello. Los TSM estaban dispuestos a renunciar hasta el 21% de su monto máximo potencial de IEC para garantizar la recepción de un pago fijo. Los TSM están muy dispuestos a aceptar una intervención basada en IEC para la adherencia a la PrEP, si se ofrece junto con pagos fijos.

Is there an association between inflammatory markers and lower physical performance in older adults?

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of physical performance is essential for achievement of healthy aging. A few studies have explored the association between inflammatory markers and physical performance in older adults with inconclusive results. Our aim was to analyze the association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and C-reactive protein (CRP) with physical performance in a sample of older adults in rural settings of Mexico. METHODS: Our study comprised 307 community-dwelling older men and women who participated in the third wave of the Rural Frailty Study. We assessed the physical performance with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and classified older adults as low performance if SPPB scored ≤8. Inflammatory markers were ascertained using serum by immunodetection methods. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between inflammatory markers and physical performance. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal physical performance group, low physical performance individuals mainly were female (P <  0.01), older (P <  0.01), more illiterate (P = 0.02), more hypertensive (P < 0.01), fewer smokers (P = 0.02), and had higher CRP levels (P < 0.01). The logistic model results showed a significant association between the 3rd tertile of CRP and low physical performance (OR = 2.23; P = 0.03). IL-10 and TNF-α levels did not show a significant association. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study were mixed, with a significant association of physical performance with higher CRP levels but nonsignificant with IL-10 and TNF-α. Further studies with improved designs are needed by incorporating a broader set of inflammatory markers.

Changes Among Mexican Adults in Physical Activity and Screen Time During the COVID-19 Lockdown Period and Association With Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress, May 29-July 31, 2020.

INTRODUCTION: We examined the association between changes in physical activity and leisure screen time and mental health outcomes during the early stages of the recommended COVID-19 stay-at-home period in a national sample of Mexican adults aged 18 years or older. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey conducted from May 29 through July 31, 2020, among 1,148 participants, reported time spent in physical activity and leisure screen time during a typical week before (retrospectively) and a week during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period. Mental health outcomes during this period were measured with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between changes in physical activity and leisure screen time and mental health outcomes by socioeconomic status (SES), adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Compared with maintaining high levels of physical activity or increasing them, decreasing physical activity was associated with higher stress scores overall, and among people of high SES, with higher scores for DASS-21, depression, and anxiety. Among participants of low and medium SES only, increasing screen time was associated with higher DASS-21, depression, anxiety, and stress scores compared with maintaining low or decreasing leisure screen time. CONCLUSION: Results highlight the potential protective effect of physical activity and limited leisure screen time on mental health in the context of COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions.

Mediator effect of caregiver burden on the association between disability and quality of life among older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association of disability and qual-ity of life considering the potential mediating role of caregiver burden among a sample of older Mexican adults and their caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 93 dyads (elderly/caregivers) conducted in 2018 in five localities (urban and rural) of the State of Mexico. The quality of life (QoL) was determined using the WHOQoL (WHO Quality of Life) instrument. Disability was measured by assessing the basic activities of daily living (BADL), and the caregiver burden was evaluated by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). RESULTS: The results showed that BADL disability is associated with a lower QoL (total effect: -14.3; 95%CI: -20.2,-8.4) and that a significant proportion of this associa-tion can be attributable to caregiver burden (25.0%; 95%CI: 17.9,43.2). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show the need for designing effective interventions that prevent or ameliorate the adverse effects of caregiver burden.

Sleep duration and incident frailty: The Rural Frailty Study.

BACKGROUND: The association between sleep duration and frailty remains unconclusive since most of the studies have been cross-sectional. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the association between sleep duration, sleep complaints, and incident frailty. METHODS: A community-based cohort study from rural areas in Mexico with 309 older adults aged 70 and over. Data from waves two and three of the Rural Frailty Study were used. We operationalized the Fried frailty phenotype to describe prevalent and incident frailty at two consecutive waves. Sleep duration was classified as: ≤ 5 h, 6 h, 7-8 h, and ≥ 9 h; and the self-reported sleep complaints as a dichotomous variable. Analyses were performed using Poison regression models. RESULTS: The average age was 76.2 years and 55.3% were women; the incidence of frailty was 30.4%; 13.3% slept ≤5 h, and 38.5% ≥ 9 h. Compared with the group that slept 7-8 h, the risk of frailty at 4.4 years of follow-up was significantly higher among those who slept ≤5 h (adjusted RR 1.80, 95% CI: 1.04-3.11) and among those who slept ≥9 h (adjusted RR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.10-2.58). Sleep complaints were not associated with incident frailty (adjusted RR 1.41, 95% CI: 0.94-2.12). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that short and long sleep duration are associated with the incidence of frailty. Studies that objectively evaluate sleep duration are needed to clarify whether meeting the recommended hours of sleep decreases frailty incidence.

Inflammation and central adiposity as mediators of depression and uncontrolled diabetes in the study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE).

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes and depression are commonly present in the same individuals, suggesting the possibility of underlying shared physiological processes. Inflammation, as assessed with the biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP), has not consistently explained the observed relationship between diabetes and depression, although both are associated with inflammation and share proposed inflammatory mechanisms. Central adiposity has also been associated with both conditions, potentially by causing increased inflammation. This study uses the World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Mexico Wave 1 biomarker data (n = 1831) to evaluate if inflammation and central adiposity mediate the relationship between depression and diabetes. METHODS: Depression was estimated using a behavior-based diagnostic algorithm, inflammation using venous dried blood spot (DBS) CRP, central adiposity using waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and uncontrolled diabetes using venous DBS-glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). RESULTS: The association between depression and uncontrolled diabetes was partially mediated by CRP before but not after WHtR was considered. When WHtR was added to the model, it partially mediated the relationship between diabetes and depression while fully mediating the relationship between depression and CRP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that central adiposity may be a more significant mediator between diabetes and depression than inflammation and account for the relationship between these disorders and inflammation. Depression may cause an increase in central adiposity, which then may lead to diabetes, but the increase in known systemic inflammatory pathways caused by central adiposity may not be the key pathological mechanism.

[Health conditions, geriatric syndromes andnutritional status of older adults in Mexico.] / Condiciones de salud, síndromes geriátricos y estado nutricional de los adultos mayores en México.

OBJECTIVE: To generate an updated diagnosis of the health conditions, geriatric syndromes, and nutritional status of older Mexican adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive study with a sample of 9 047 older adults aged 60 years and over with national representativeness. We analyzed indicators related to health conditions, geriatric syndromes, and nutritional status, obtaining prevalence as well as tests of differences in proportions and means. RESULTS: Oldest older adults, women, and residents of rural areas showed the highest prevalence of chronic conditions, geriatric syndromes, and poor nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study offer an updated insight of the health conditions, geriatric syndromes, and nutritional status of older Mexican adults, and show the main health needs that this age group faces, which in turn represent a challenge for the health system in Mexico.

OBJETIVO: Generar un diagnóstico actualizado de las con-diciones de salud, síndromes geriátricos y estado nutricional de los adultos mayores mexicanos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo con una muestra de 9 047 adultos mayo-res de 60 años o más con representatividad nacional. Se ana-lizaron indicadores relacionados con las condiciones de salud, síndromes geriátricos y el estado nutricional. Se reportan las principales prevalencias así como pruebas de diferencias de proporciones y medias. RESULTADOS: Los adultos mayores con mayor edad, mujeres y residentes de áreas rurales mos-traron las mayores prevalencias de padecimientos crónicos, síndromes geriátricos y mala nutrición. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados de este estudio ofrecen un panorama actualizado de las condiciones de salud, síndromes geriátricos y estado nutricional de los adultos mayores mexicanos, y muestran las principales necesidades de salud que este grupo etario enfrenta, las cuales a su vez representan un reto para el sistema de salud en México.

Polypharmacy is associated with multiplem health-related outcomes in Mexican community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between polypharmacy and multiple health-related outcomes in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional analysis with 274 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years in Mexico City. We used the following health-related outcomes: frailty, dementia, functional capacity, falls, disability, and quality of life. The main exposure was polypharmacy (chronic use of six or more drugs). Ordinal logistic regression, binary logistic regression, Poisson regression, and linear regression models were used to estimate the association between polypharmacy and the outcomes analyzed. RESULTS: Polypharmacy was present in 45% of the sample. Polypharmacy was significantly associated with frailty status, and marginally, with dementia. We also observed significant associations for instrumental activities of daily living, falls, disability, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Given that polypharmacy has reached levels of a global epidemic, it is necessary to take radical actions to reduce the concomitant problems of the use of multiple drugs.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la asociación entre la polifarmacia y múltiples resultados relacionados con la salud de los adultos mayores. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un análisis transversal con 274 adultos mayores que residen en comunidad, edad ≥60 años, en la Ciudad de México. Se utilizaron los siguientes resultados relacionados con la salud: fragilidad, demencia, capacidad funcional, caídas, discapacidad y calidad de vida. La exposición principal fue la polifarmacia (uso crónico de seis o más fármacos). Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística ordinal, regresión logística binaria, regresión de Poisson y regresión lineal para estimar la asociación entre la polifarmacia y los resultados analizados. RESULTADOS: La polifarmacia estuvo presente en 45% de la muestra. La polifarmacia se asoció significativamente con el estado de fragilidad y marginalmente con la demencia. También se observaron asociaciones significativas para actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria, caídas, discapacidad y calidad de vida. CONCLUSIONES: Dado que la polifarmacia ha alcanzado niveles de epidemia global, es necesario tomar medidas radicales para reducir los problemas concomitantes del uso de múltiples medicamentos.

Socioeconomic inequalities in health and nutrition among older adults in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the socioeconomic inequalities in health among the population of older adults in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of two national health surveys in Mexico (Ensanut 2012 and Ensanut 100k) in which inequality gradients are estimated for various health and nutrition outcomes of older adults over 60 years, using the Relative Index of Inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequality (SII). RESULTS: Older adults with lower socioeconomic status had worse levels of cognition, instrumental activities of daily living, depressive symptoms, muscle mass, low weight, and anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial socioeconomic inequalities in health were observed in this study. Given the rapid growth of the population of older adults in Mexico, our results indicate that urgent actions are necessary to achieve health equity in this population group, particularly universal access to health, as well as universal coverage of health services.

OBJETIVO: Analizar las desigualdades socioeconómicas en salud entre la población de adultos mayores en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Análisis de dos encuestas nacionales de salud en México (Ensanut 2012 y Ensanut 100k) en las que se estiman los gradientes de desigualdad para diversos desenlaces en salud y nutrición de los adultos mayores de 60 años en adelante, usando el Índice Relativo de Desigualdad (RII) y el Índice de la Pendiente de Desigualdad (SII). RESULTADOS: Los adultos mayores con menor nivel socioeconómico tuvieron peores niveles de cognición, actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria, síntomas depresivos, masa muscular y anemia. CONCLUSIONES: Se observaron desigualdades socioeconómicas en salud sustanciales. Dado el rápido crecimiento de la población de adultos mayores en México, nuestros resultados indican que son necesarias acciones urgentes para lograr la equidad en salud en este grupo poblacional, particularmente lograr el acceso universal a la salud, así como la cobertura universal de los servicios de salud.

Social determinants of health and frailty are associated with all-cause mortality in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the longitudinal association between the social determinants of health (SDH) and frailty status with all-cause mortality in older Mexican adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal study with a sample of adults aged 60 and over of Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) in Mexico. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the SDH and frailty-related hazard ratios (HR) for mortality over the study period. RESULTS: Overall mortality rate was 16.9%. Higher education, having a higher frequency of inter-personal contacts (HR=0.96; p<0.01) reduced the risk of dying, after adjusting for potential confounders. While, not counting on someone to trust (HR= 1.59; p<0.03) and having a sense a lack of control over important decisions in life increased the mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: Given that frailty and the SDH affect health using independent pathways, public health systems in Mexico could benefit from increasing the capacity of identifying frail and isolated older adults and providing a risk-stratified health care accordingly.

OBJETIVO: Examinar la asociación longitudinal entre los determinantes sociales en salud (DSS) y la fragilidad con la mortalidad por todas las causas en adultos mayores mexicanos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio longitudinal con una muestra de adultos mayores de 60 años o más del estudio Envejecimiento Global y Salud de los Adultos (SAGE, por sus siglas en inglés) en México. Se utilizó el modelo riesgos proporcionales de Cox para estimar la asociación entre DSS y la fragilidad en la mortalidad. RESULTADOS: La tasa de mortalidad general fue 16.9%. Tener mayor educación y una mayor frecuencia de contactos interpersonales (HR= 0.96, p<0.01) reducen el riesgo de morir, después de ajustar por covariables. Mientras tanto, no contar con alguien en quien confiar (HR= 1.59; p<0.03) y tener una sensación de falta de control sobre las decisiones importantes en la vida aumentan el riesgo de mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES: Dado que la fragilidad y los DSS inciden sobre la salud usando vías independientes, el sistema de salud de México se beneficiaría al incrementar su capacidad para detectar a los adultos mayores frágiles y con aislamiento social, para proveer cuidados a la salud.

The Relationship Between Psychological Temporal Perspective and HIV/STI Risk Behaviors Among Male Sex Workers in Mexico City.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) face a disproportionate burden of HIV incidence and HIV prevalence, particularly young men who have sex with men. The aim of this article was to analyze the relation between a psychological temporal perspective and HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk behaviors among male sex workers (MSWs), a potentially highly present-oriented group of MSM. A total sample of 326 MSWs were included and responded to a validated psychological scale: the Zimbardo's Time Perspective Inventory; they also reported how frequently they engaged in protective behaviors against HIV and other STI risks behaviors, including condom use with casual and regular partners, as well as prior HIV testing. We adjusted structural equation models to analyze the relation between a psychological temporal perspective and HIV/STI risk behaviors. We found that orientation toward the past was correlated with decreased condom use with casual partners (ß = - 0.18; CI95% - 0.23, - 0.12). Future orientation was not associated with condom use with casual partners. Regarding condom use with regular partners, past and present orientation were related to lower likelihood of condom use (ß = - 0.23; CI95% - 0.29, - 0.17; ß = - 0.11; CI95% - 0.19, - 0.02), whereas future orientation increased the likelihood of condom use with regular partners (ß = 0.40; CI95% 0.31, 0.50). Time orientation (past, present, or future) did not predict the probability of having an HIV test. The design of HIV/STI prevention programs among vulnerable populations, such as MSM and MSWs, should consider specific time-frame mechanisms that can importantly affect sexual risk behavior decisions.

Disability, quality of life and all-cause mortality in older Mexican adults: association with multimorbidity and frailty.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity and frailty are relevant conditions among older adult population. There is growing evidence about their association with poor health outcomes like disability, worst quality of life, and death. Nonetheless, the independent associations of both conditions have been studied, and few evidence exists about an interaction between them. Our aims were to assess the association of frailty and multimorbidity with the disability, quality of life and all-cause mortality as well as to analyze a potential interaction between these conditions. METHODS: Analytical samples included 1410 respondents for disability and quality of life, and 1792 for mortality. We performed a longitudinal analysis with older Mexican adults aged 50, using data collected from the WHO's Study on global AGEing and Adult Health Waves 1 and 2. Disability was measured using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), and quality of life using the WHOQOL (WHO Quality of Life) instrument. All-cause mortality was determined by reviewing death certificates. Associations of frailty and multimorbidity with disability, quality of life and mortality were estimated using linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Multimorbidity assessed through three patterns (cardiopulmonary, vascular-metabolic, and mental-musculoskeletal) was associated with the three outcomes in this study. Cardiopulmonary and mental-musculoskeletal patterns increased the WHODAS mean score (ß = 5.05; p < 0.01 and ß = 5.10; p < 0.01, respectively) and decreased WHOQOL score (ß = - 1.81; p < 0.01 and ß = - 2.99; p < 0.01, respectively). Vascular-metabolic was associated with mortality (HR = 1.47; p = 0.04), disability (ß = 3.27; p < 0.01) and quality of life (ß = - 1.30; p = 0.02). Frailty was associated with mortality (pre-frail: HR = 1.48; p = 0.02 and frail: HR = 1.68; p = 0.03), disability (pre-frail: ß = 5.02; p < 0.01; frail: ß = 13.29; p < 0.01) and quality of life (pre-frail: ß = - 2.23; p < 0.01; frail: ß = - 4.38; p < 0.01). Interaction terms of frailty and multimorbidity were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity and frailty are important predictors of poor health outcomes. These results highlight the importance of carrying out health promotion and prevention actions as well as specific interventions aimed at older adults who suffer from multimorbidity and frailty, in such a way that deleterious effects on health can be avoided.

Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in 6 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Findings From Wave 1 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE).

In this paper, we examine patterns of self-reported diagnosis of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and prevalences of algorithm/measured test-based, undiagnosed, and untreated NCDs in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. Nationally representative samples of older adults aged ≥50 years were analyzed from wave 1 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (2007-2010; n = 34,149). Analyses focused on 6 conditions: angina, arthritis, asthma, chronic lung disease, depression, and hypertension. Outcomes for these NCDs were: 1) self-reported disease, 2) algorithm/measured test-based disease, 3) undiagnosed disease, and 4) untreated disease. Algorithm/measured test-based prevalence of NCDs was much higher than self-reported prevalence in all 6 countries, indicating underestimation of NCD prevalence in low- and middle-income countries. Undiagnosed prevalence of NCDs was highest for hypertension, ranging from 19.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.1, 21.3) in India to 49.6% (95% CI: 46.2, 53.0) in South Africa. The proportion untreated among all diseases was highest for depression, ranging from 69.5% (95% CI: 57.1, 81.9) in South Africa to 93.2% (95% CI: 90.1, 95.7) in India. Higher levels of education and wealth significantly reduced the odds of an undiagnosed condition and untreated morbidity. A high prevalence of undiagnosed NCDs and an even higher proportion of untreated NCDs highlights the inadequacies in diagnosis and management of NCDs in local health-care systems.

Exposure to air pollution and tobacco smoking and their combined effects on depression in six low- and middle-income countries.

BackgroundLittle is known about the joint mental health effects of air pollution and tobacco smoking in low- and middle-income countries.AimsTo investigate the effects of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) and smoking and their combined (interactive) effects on depression.MethodMultilevel logistic regression analysis of baseline data of a prospective cohort study (n = 41 785). The 3-year average concentrations of PM2.5 were estimated using US National Aeronautics and Space Administration satellite data, and depression was diagnosed using a standardised questionnaire. Three-level logistic regression models were applied to examine the associations with depression.ResultsThe odds ratio (OR) for depression was 1.09 (95% C11.01-1.17) per 10 µg/m3 increase in ambient PM2.5, and the association remained after adjusting for potential confounding factors (adjusted OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.19). Tobacco smoking (smoking status, frequency, duration and amount) was also significantly associated with depression. There appeared to be a synergistic interaction between ambient PM2.5 and smoking on depression in the additive model, but the interaction was not statistically significant in the multiplicative model.ConclusionsOur study suggests that exposure to ambient PM2.5 may increase the risk of depression, and smoking may enhance this effect.

Cross-cultural validation of the paediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine (pGALS) tool for the screening of musculoskeletal disorders in Mexican children.

The aim of this study was to validate the paediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine (pGALS) tool for Mexican Spanish to screen Mexican paediatric population for musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. A cross-sectional study was performed in the Paediatric Hospital of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Guadalajara, Jalisco. The validation included children and adolescents aged 6-16 years, 87 patients with musculoskeletal disorders and 88 controls without musculoskeletal disorders. The cross-cultural validation followed the current published guidelines. The average pGALS administration time was 2.9 min (SD 0.54). The internal consistency score (Cronbach's α) was 0.90 (0.89 for inflammatory and 0.77 for non-inflammatory disorders) for MSK disorders, with a sensitivity of 97 % (95 % CI 92-99 %), a specificity of 93 % (95 % CI 86-97 %), a LR+ of 14.3, and a ROC curve of 0.95 (95 % CI 0.92-0.98 %). The inflammatory disorders group had a sensitivity of 97 % (95 % CI 86-99 %), a specificity of 93 % (95 % CI 86-97 %), a LR+ of 14.2, and a ROC curve of 0.95 % (95 % CI 0.91-0.99 %). The non-inflammatory disorders group had a sensitivity of 98 % (95 % CI 89-99 %), a specificity of 93 % (95 % CI 86-97 %), and a LR+ of 14.37, with a ROC curve of 0.95 % (95 % CI 0.92-0.98 %). pGALS is a valid screening tool, fast, easy to administer, and useful for detecting musculoskeletal disorders in Mexican children and adolescents.

Prevalence, risk factors and disability associated with fall-related injury in older adults in low- and middle-incomecountries: results from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE).

BACKGROUND: In 2010 falls were responsible for approximately 80 % of disability stemming from unintentional injuries excluding traffic accidents in adults 50 years and over. Falls are becoming a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where populations are ageing rapidly. METHODS: Nationally representative standardized data collected from adults aged 50 years and over participating in the World Health Organization (WHO) Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation and South Africa are analysed. The aims are to identify the prevalence of, and risk factors for, past-year fall-related injury and to assess associations between fall-related injury and disability. Regression methods are used to identify risk factors and association between fall-related injury and disability. Disability was measured using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule Version 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). RESULTS: The prevalence of past-year fall-related injuries ranged from 6.6 % in India to 1.0 % in South Africa and was 4.0 % across the pooled countries. The proportion of all past-year injuries that were fall-related ranged from 73.3 % in the Russian Federation to 44.4 % in Ghana. Across the six countries this was 65.7 %. In the multivariable logistic regression, the odds of past-year fall-related injury were significantly higher for: women (OR: 1.27; 95 % CI: 0.99,1.62); respondents who lived in rural areas (OR: 1.36; 95 % CI: 1.06,1.75); those with depression (OR: 1.43; 95 % CI: 1.01,2.02); respondents who reported severe or extreme problems sleeping (OR: 1.54; 95 % CI: 1.15,2.08); and those who reported two or more (compared with no) chronic conditions (OR: 2.15; 95 % CI: 1.45,3.19). Poor cognition was also a significant risk factor for fall-related injury. The association between fall-related injury and the WHODAS measure of disability was highly significant (P<0.0001) with some attenuation after adjusting for confounders. Reporting two or more chronic conditions (compared with none) was significantly associated with disability (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide a platform for improving understanding of risk factors for falls in older adults in this group of LMICs. Clinicians and public health professionals in these countries must be made aware of the extent of this problem and the need to implement policies to reduce the risk of falls in older adults.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in older Mexican adults and its association with physical activity and related factors: An analysis of the study on global ageing and adult health.

OBJECTIVES: The obesity epidemic in Mexico is increasing and represents a considerable public health challenge. The population aged 50 years and older is also increasing and is not exempt from the obesity rise. We aimed to determine the current prevalence of Body Mass Index (BMI) categories in a sample of Mexicans aged 50 years and older and to test the associations of BMI with physical activity categories and related factors. METHODS: Data from 2,032 individuals aged 50 years and older who participated in SAGE Wave 1 (2009-2010) were analyzed. Representativeness of the sample was obtained by using weighted data. Descriptive statistics, chi square tests, simple regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed in relation to BMI, self-reported physical activity categories, and several variables, including demographic characteristics and selected risk factors for non-communicable diseases. RESULTS: Among older adults, 0.6% was found to be underweight, 21.4% normal weight, 49.4% overweight, and 28.7% obese. It was also found that practicing vigorous intensity physical activity (-1.32) and being 80 years or older (-2.73) were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with a lower mean BMI (28.3). In contrast, being in the lowest income quintile (1.35), and living in urban areas (0.86) were significantly associated with a higher mean BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The study results contribute to the current understanding of obesity etiology in Mexico, and moreover confirm that overweight and obesity are current public health problems that must be addressed in specific subgroups of older adults.

Common risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases among older adults in China, Ghana, Mexico, India, Russia and South Africa: the study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) wave 1.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity and the harmful use of alcohol are known and modifiable contributors to a number of NCDs and health mediators. The purpose of this paper is to describe the distribution of main risk factors for NCDs by socioeconomic status (SES) among adults aged 50 years and older within a country and compare these risk factors across six lower- and upper-middle income countries. METHODS: The study population in this paper draw from SAGE Wave 1 and consisted of adults aged 50-plus from China (N=13,157), Ghana (N=4,305), India (N=6,560), Mexico (N=2,318), the Russian Federation (N=3,938) and South Africa (N=3,836). Seven main common risk factors for NCDs were identified: daily tobacco use, frequent heavy drinking, low level physical activity, insufficient vegetable and fruit intake, high risk waist-hip ratio, obesity and hypertension. Multiple risk factors were also calculated by summing all these risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of daily tobacco use ranged from 7.7% (Ghana) to 46.9% (India), frequent heavy drinker was the highest in China (6.3%) and lowest in India (0.2%), and the highest prevalence of low physical activity was in South Africa (59.7%). The highest prevalence of respondents with high waist-to-hip ratio risk was 84.5% in Mexico, and the prevalence of self-reported hypertension ranging from 33% (India) to 78% (South Africa). Obesity was more common in South Africa, the Russia Federation and Mexico (45.2%, 36% and 28.6%, respectively) compared with China, India and Ghana (15.3%, 9.7% and 6.4%, respectively). China, Ghana and India had a higher prevalence of respondents with multiple risk factors than Mexico, the Russia Federation and South Africa. The occurrence of three and four risk factors was more prevalent in Mexico, the Russia Federation and South Africa. CONCLUSION: There were substantial variations across countries and settings, even between upper-middle income countries and lower-middle income countries. The baseline information on the magnitude of the problem of risk factors provided by this study can help countries and health policymakers to set up interventions addressing the global non-communicable disease epidemic.

Short-term effect of physical activity and obesity on disability in a sample of rural elderly in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effects of physical activity (PA) and obesity on the cumulative incidence of disability on the basic activities of daily living in the elderly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal study. We selected 2477 participants aged 65-74 years from the impact evaluation study of a non-contributory pension program in Mexico. Participants were without disability at baseline. Katz index was used to assess disability both at baseline and follow-up. PA, body mass index, and covariates were measured at baseline. RESULTS: After 14-months of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of disability reached 10.1%. High PA was found to reduce disability risk (OR=0.64; 95%CI [0.43-0.95]), and the association between obesity and disability was marginally significant (OR=1.36; 95%CI [0.96-1.95]). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to perform a functional assessment of older adults in primary care to identify patients with functional dependence , and to promote physical activity to maintain muscle mass and thus reduce the incidence of disability.