The association between primary ovarian insufficiency and increased multimorbidity in a large prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of multimorbidity among individuals with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and early menopause, in comparison to average age of menopause. DESIGN: Prospective cohort SUBJECTS: This prospective cohort encompassed female postmenopausal individuals from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). The CLSA collected cross-sectional data from 50,000 community-dwelling Canadians aged 45 to 85 between 2010 and 2015. EXPOSURE: The primary exposure was primary ovarian insufficiency (defined by onset of menopause younger than 40 years). Comparators included average age of menopause (age 46 to 55 years), early menopause (40-45 years), late onset menopause (56-65 years), and those who underwent a hysterectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was multimorbidity, which was defined as two or more chronic conditions. The secondary outcome was severe multimorbidity (defined as three or more chronic conditions) as well as frequencies of specific chronic conditions among a comprehensive list of 15 individual conditions. We assessed the association between multimorbidity and age at menopause using logistic regression and odds ratios, with confidence intervals set at 95%. Odds ratios were adjusted for known predictors of multimorbidity, including age, menopause hormone therapy (MHT), education, ethnicity, self-reported loneliness, living alone, BMI, smoking habits, nutritional risk, social participation, and physical activity. RESULTS: A total of 12,339 postmenopausal participants were included, of which 374 (3.0%) experienced POI and 1396 (11.3%) experienced early menopause. The prevalence of multimorbidity was 64.8% and 51.1% among those with POI and early menopause respectively. In contrast, only 43.9% of individuals with average age of menopause (age 46 to 55 years) had multimorbidity. The OR for multimorbidity in the POI population was 2.5 (95% CI 2.0-3.1) in comparison to those who underwent the average age of menopause. This relationship was maintained after adjustment for confounders (aOR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.5-2.5). The prevalence of severe multimorbidity was also double in the POI group in comparison in the average age group (39.2% versus 21.1%). There was significantly increased risk of ischemic heart disease (aOR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.7), gastric ulcers (aOR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and osteoporosis (aOR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.1) in the POI group. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with POI and early menopause experience increased multimorbidity in comparison to those undergoing menopause at an average age. This trend persists even after adjusting for significant multimorbidity risk factors.

Prevalence and population attributable fractions of potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia in Canada: A cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the prevalence and population attributable fraction (PAF) of 12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia in middle-aged and older Canadians. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 30,097 adults aged 45 to 85 with baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (2011‒2015). Risk factors and associated relative risks were taken from a highly cited systematic review. We calculated the prevalence of each risk factor using sampling weights. Individual PAFs were calculated both crudely and weighted for communality, and combined PAFs were calculated using both multiplicative and additive assumptions. Analyses were stratified by household income and repeated at CLSA's first follow-up (2015‒2018). RESULTS: The most prevalent risk factors were physical inactivity (63.8%; 95% CI, 62.8-64.9), hypertension (32.8%; 31.7-33.8), and obesity (30.8%; 29.7-31.8). The highest crude PAFs were physical inactivity (19.9%), traumatic brain injury (16.7%), and hypertension (16.6%). The highest weighted PAFs were physical inactivity (11.6%), depression (7.7%), and hypertension (6.0%). We estimated that the 12 risk factors combined accounted for 43.4% (37.3‒49.0) of dementia cases assuming weighted multiplicative interactions and 60.9% (55.7‒65.5) assuming additive interactions. There was a clear gradient of increasing prevalence and PAF with decreasing income for 9 of the 12 risk factors. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can inform individual- and population-level dementia prevention strategies in Canada. Differences in the impact of individual risk factors between this study and other international and regional studies highlight the importance of tailoring national dementia strategies to the local distribution of risk factors.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Nous avons étudié la prévalence et la fraction attribuable dans la population (FAP) de 12 facteurs de risque de démence potentiellement modifiables chez les Canadiens d'âge moyen et plus âgés. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude transversale de 30 097 adultes de 45 à 85 ans à l'aide des données de référence de l'Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement (ELCV) (2011‒2015). Les facteurs de risque et les risques relatifs associés ont été extraits d'une revue systématique fréquemment citée. Nous avons calculé la prévalence de chaque facteur de risque à l'aide de poids d'échantillonnage. Les FAP individuelles ont été calculées à la fois sous forme brute et pondérées selon leurs points communs; les FAP combinées ont été calculées à l'aide d'hypothèses multiplicatives et additives. Les analyses ont été stratifiées selon le revenu du ménage et répétées au premier suivi de l'ELCV (2015‒2018). RéSULTATS: Les facteurs de risque les plus prévalents étaient la sédentarité (63,8 %; IC de 95%, 62,8­64,9), l'hypertension artérielle (32,8 %; 31,7­33,8) et l'obésité (30,8 %; 29,7­31,8). Les FAP brutes les plus élevées étaient la sédentarité (19,9 %), les traumatismes cranio-cérébraux (16,7 %) et l'hypertension artérielle (16,6 %). Les FAP pondérées les plus élevées étaient la sédentarité (11,6 %), la dépression (7,7 %) et l'hypertension artérielle (6,0 %). Selon nos estimations, les 12 facteurs de risque combinés représentaient 43,4 % (37,3‒49,0) des cas de démence en supposant des interactions multiplicatives pondérées et 60,9 % (55,7‒65,5) en supposant des interactions additives. Il y avait clairement un gradient d'accroissement de la prévalence et de la FAP avec la diminution du revenu pour 9 des 12 facteurs de risque. CONCLUSION: Les constats de l'étude peuvent éclairer les stratégies individuelles et populationnelles de prévention de la démence au Canada. Les différences d'impact des facteurs de risque individuels entre cette étude et d'autres études internationales et régionales montrent l'importance d'adapter les stratégies nationales de prévention de la démence à la répartition locale des facteurs de risque.

Long-Term Functional Limitations and Predictors of Recovery After COVID-19: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on post-severe COVID-19 functional trajectory, particularly considering premorbid status. We characterized 1-year functional recovery post-hospitalization for COVID-19, highlighting predictors of long-term recovery. METHODS: We enrolled adult patients with lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalized for COVID-19 sequelae, from five major Ontario, Canada hospitals in a prospective cohort study. Assessments included telephone interviews on admission followed by telephone and in-person assessments at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months post-discharge. The Activity-Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) Mobility and Cognition scales were administered at baseline and every 3 months for 1 year. Secondary outcomes included symptoms, spirometry, physical performance, dyspnea, fatigue, distress, anxiety and depression, and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients (57.1% male) with a mean age of 60.0 (±13.1) years and an average hospital stay of 14.3 (±19.7) days agreed to participate. At 12 months, 55.3% demonstrated clinically important deficits in mobility and 38.8% had cognitive deficits compared to premorbid levels. Fatigue was reported in 44.2%, followed by difficulty walking long distances in 35.8% and dyspnea in 33.0%. Almost 40% of patients had an FEV1(% Pred) < 80% at 12 months, 60.3% had impairments in physical performance, and 44.5% had problems with anxiety or depression. Predictors of better mobility at 12 months included higher premorbid mobility status, male sex, shorter hospital stay, fewer comorbidities, and higher FEV1 (% pred) at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides compelling evidence of the long-term impact of COVID-19 on functional and cognitive status 1-year post-infection.

The effect of preprandial versus postprandial physical activity on glycaemia: Meta-analysis of human intervention studies.

This meta-analysis aims to investigate the effect of preprandial physical activity (PA) versus postprandial PA on glycaemia in human intervention studies. Medline and Embase.com were searched until February 2023 for intervention studies in adults, directly comparing preprandial PA versus postprandial PA on glycaemia. Studies were screened using ASReview (34,837) and full texts were read by two independent reviewers (42 full text, 28 included). Results were analysed using pooled mean differences in random-effects models. Studies were either acute response studies (n = 21) or Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) over multiple weeks (n = 7). In acute response studies, postprandial outcomes followed the expected physiological patterns, and outcomes measured over 24 h showed no significant differences. For the RCTs, glucose area under the curve during a glucose tolerance test was slightly, but not significantly lower in preprandial PA vs postprandial PA (-0.29 [95 %CI:-0.66, 0.08] mmol/L, I2 = 64.36 %). Subgroup analyses (quality, health status, etc.) did not significantly change the outcomes. In conclusion, we found no differences between preprandial PA versus postprandial PA on glycaemia both after one PA bout as well as after multiple weeks of PA. The studies were of low to moderate quality of evidence as assessed by GRADE, showed contradictive results, included no long-term studies and used various designs and populations. We therefore need better RCTs, with more similar designs, in larger populations and longer follow-up periods (≥12 weeks) to have a final answer on the questions eat first, then exercise, or the reverse?

Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of mild and major neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), also referred to as mild cognitive impairment and dementia, is rising globally. The prevention of NCDs is a major global public health interest. We sought to synthesize the literature on potentially modifiable risk factors for NCDs. METHODS: We conducted an umbrella review using a systematic search across multiple databases to identify relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Eligible reviews examined potentially modifiable risk factors for mild or major NCDs. We used a random-effects multi-level meta-analytic approach to synthesize risk ratios for each risk factor while accounting for overlap in the reviews. We further examined risk factors for major NCD due to two common etiologies: Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. RESULTS: A total of 45 reviews with 212 meta-analyses were synthesized. We identified fourteen broadly defined modifiable risk factors that were significantly associated with these disorders: alcohol consumption, body weight, depression, diabetes mellitus, diet, hypertension, less education, physical inactivity, sensory loss, sleep disturbance, smoking, social isolation, traumatic brain injury, and vitamin D deficiency. All 14 factors were associated with the risk of major NCD, and five were associated with mild NCD. We found considerably less research for vascular dementia and mild NCD. CONCLUSION: Our review quantifies the risk associated with 14 potentially modifiable risk factors for mild and major NCDs, including several factors infrequently included in dementia action plans. Prevention strategies should consider approaches that reduce the incidence and severity of these risk factors through health promotion, identification, and early management.

Effect of Age-Friendly Communities Action Plan on Trajectories of Older Canadians' Depressive Symptoms Between 2018 and 2020: Multilevel Results From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health, this longitudinal study examined the effect of age-friendly communities (AFC) action plan on older adults' depressive symptoms. Using the CLSA, the CLSA COVID-19 Questionnaire study, survey of Canadian municipalities, and the census, the depressive symptoms trajectories were modeled with multilevel multinomial regressions. Most respondents (66.1%) had non-depressed trajectories, 28.1% experienced a moderate increase in depressive symptoms, and 5.8% had a depressed trajectory. AFC action plans did not have a protective effect on these trajectories. Being a female, greater loneliness, lower income, ≥2 chronic conditions, inferior social participation, weaker sense of belonging, COVID-19 infection, and pandemic stressors predicted a depressed trajectory. Neighborhood's deprivation had a weak protective effect on the declining trajectory. Although AFC action plans provided no benefits during the pandemic, volunteers facilitating resource access and social interactions could limit any increase in depressive symptoms.

Lifetime Physical Activity and Late-Life Mild Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Regular physical activity throughout life is generally recommended to prevent dementia; however, there is little evidence regarding the association between lifetime physical activity and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which often precedes dementia. This study aimed to examine the association of lifetime physical activity and their transitions with late-life MCI. DESIGN: A population-based case-control study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2968 Japanese community-dwelling older adults aged ≥70 years without dementia. METHODS: We evaluated the participants' early-, mid-, and late-life physical activity habits and categorized their transitions across life stages. Cognitive functions in late life were assessed for memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed; functional impairment in one or more cognitive domains was defined as MCI. RESULTS: Regular physical activity in early life was not significantly associated with late-life MCI [odds ratio (OR), 0.80; 95% CI, 0.63-1.02], although those in mid-life (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51-0.81) and late-life (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59-0.91) were associated with lower odds of late-life MCI. Compared with nonexercisers, participants who acquired new habits of physical activity during mid- or late-life (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55-0.91) and those who maintained physical activity throughout their life span (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42-0.87) had lower odds of late-life MCI; those who stopped regular activity during mid- or late-life did not (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58-1.06). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: While physical activity throughout the life span is associated with the lowest odds of MCI, starting regular physical activity, even later in life, confers a benefit and should be encouraged as a "lifelong approach" to MCI risk reduction.

Drug and Natural Health Product Data Collection and Curation in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

This study aimed to develop an efficient data collection and curation process for all drugs and natural health products (NHPs) used by participants to the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). The three-step sequential process consisted of (a) mapping drug inputs collected through the CLSA to the Health Canada Drug Product Database (DPD), (b) algorithm recoding of unmapped drug and NHP inputs, and (c) manual recoding of unmapped drug and NHP inputs. Among the 30,097 CLSA comprehensive cohort participants, 26,000 (86.4%) were using a drug or an NHP with a mean of 5.3 (SD 3.8) inputs per participant user for a total of 137,366 inputs. Of those inputs, 70,177 (51.1%) were mapped to the Health Canada DPD, 20,729 (15.1%) were recoded by algorithms, and 44,108 (32.1%) were manually recoded. The Direct algorithm correctly classified 99.4 per cent of drug inputs and 99.5 per cent of NHP inputs. We developed an efficient three-step process for drug and NHP data collection and curation for use in a longitudinal cohort.

Association of Neighborhood Deprivation and Depressive Symptoms With Epigenetic Age Acceleration: Evidence From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood deprivation and depression have been linked to epigenetic age acceleration. The next-generation epigenetic clocks including the DNA methylation (DNAm) GrimAge, and PhenoAge have incorporated clinical biomarkers of physiological dysregulation by selecting cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites that are associated with risk factors for disease, and have shown improved accuracy in predicting morbidity and time-to-mortality compared to the first-generation clocks. The aim of this study is to examine the association between neighborhood deprivation and DNAm GrimAge and PhenoAge acceleration in adults, and assess interaction with depressive symptoms. METHODS: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging recruited 51 338 participants aged 45-85 years across provinces in Canada. This cross-sectional analysis is based on a subsample of 1 445 participants at baseline (2011-2015) for whom epigenetic data were available. Epigenetic age acceleration (years) was assessed using the DNAm GrimAge and PhenoAge, and measured as residuals from regression of the biological age on chronological age. RESULTS: A greater neighborhood material and/or social deprivation compared to lower deprivation (b = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21, 1.12) and depressive symptoms scores (b = 0.07; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.13) were associated with higher DNAm GrimAge acceleration. The regression estimates for these associations were higher but not statistically significant when epigenetic age acceleration was estimated using DNAm PhenoAge. There was no evidence of a statistical interaction between neighborhood deprivation and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms and neighborhood deprivation are independently associated with premature biological aging. Policies that improve neighborhood environments and address depression in older age may contribute to healthy aging among older adults living in predominantly urban areas.

The Effects of Cognitive Ability, Mental Health, and Self-Quarantining on Functional Ability of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

OBJECTIVES: Determine whether levels of anxiety and depression, cognitive ability, and self-quarantining during and prior to the pandemic predict decreases in perceived functional ability. DESIGN AND SETTING: Longitudinal data collected from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) COVID-19 Questionnaire Study (2020) and core CLSA study (Follow-Up 1; 2014-2018). PARTICIPANTS: 17 541 CLSA participants. MEASUREMENTS: Self-quarantining behaviours from questionnaires administered at Baseline (April 2020), Monthly, and Exit (December 2020) time points of the CLSA COVID-19 Questionnaire Study, levels of anxiety and depression at Baseline, perceived change in functional ability at Exit, and performance on neuropsychological tests (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task, Mental Alternation Task, Animal Fluency Test) and functional ability (Older Americans Resources and Services [OARS] Multidimensional Assessment Questionnaire) from the core CLSA study. RESULTS: Greater cognitive ability pre-pandemic (B = -.003, P < .01), higher levels of anxiety (B = -.024, P < .01) and depressive symptoms (B = -.110, P < .01) at Baseline, and higher frequency of engaging in self-quarantining throughout the COVID-19 survey period (B = -.098, P < .01) were associated with perceived loss in functional ability at Exit. Self-quarantining behaviour was associated with perceived loss in functional ability only at average and high levels of depressive symptoms (B = -.013, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with higher cognitive and lower functional ability prior to the pandemic were at greater risk of decreased perceived functional ability during the first year of the pandemic, as were those who experienced greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Strategies/interventions to preserve functional ability in older adults with cognitive independence prior to future pandemics are warranted.

Does urban greenness reduce loneliness and social isolation among Canadians? A cross-sectional study of middle-aged and older adults of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

OBJECTIVES: Urban greenness has been shown to confer many health benefits including reduced risks of chronic disease, depression, anxiety, and, in a limited number of studies, loneliness. In this first Canadian study on this topic, we investigated associations between residential surrounding greenness and loneliness and social isolation among older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging included 26,811 urban participants between 45 and 86 years of age. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a measure of greenness, was assigned to participants' residential addresses using a buffer distance of 500 m. We evaluated associations between the NDVI and (i) self-reported loneliness using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, (ii) whether participants reported "feeling lonely living in the local area", and (iii) social isolation. Logistic regression models were used to characterize associations between greenness and loneliness/social isolation while adjusting for individual socio-economic and health behaviours. RESULTS: Overall, 10.8% of participants perceived being lonely, while 6.5% reported "feeling lonely in their local area". Furthermore, 16.2% of participants were characterized as being socially isolated. In adjusted models, we observed no statistically significant difference (odds ratio (OR) = 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-1.04) in self-reported loneliness in relation to an interquartile range (IQR) increase of NDVI (0.06). However, for the same change in greenness, there was a 15% (OR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.72-0.99) reduced risk for participants who strongly agreed with "feeling lonely living in the local area". For social isolation, for an IQR increase in the NDVI, we observed a 7% (OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.88-0.97) reduction in prevalence. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that urban greenness plays a role in reducing loneliness and social isolation among Canadian urbanites.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Il est démontré que la verdure urbaine confère de nombreux avantages pour la santé; elle réduit notamment les risques de maladies chroniques, de dépression et d'anxiété et, selon un petit nombre d'études, le risque de solitude. Dans cette première étude canadienne sur le sujet, nous avons étudié les associations entre la verdure de l'environnement résidentiel et la solitude et l'isolement social chez les adultes d'âge mûr. MéTHODE: Cette analyse transversale de l'Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement a inclus 26 811 participantes et participants urbains de 45 à 86 ans. L'indice de végétation par différence normalisée (IVDN), un indicateur de verdure, a été assigné à l'adresse domiciliaire dans une zone tampon de 500 m. Nous avons évalué les associations entre l'IVDN et i) la solitude autodéclarée selon l'échelle de dépression du Center for Epidemiological Studies, ii) le fait de déclarer « vivre de la solitude dans sa zone locale ¼ et iii) l'isolement social. Des modèles de régression logistique ont servi à caractériser les associations entre la verdure et la solitude/l'isolement social, et nous avons apporté des ajustements pour tenir compte du statut socioéconomique et des comportements de santé individuels. RéSULTATS: Globalement, 10,8 % des participantes et des participants se sentaient seuls, et 6,5 % disaient « vivre de la solitude dans leur zone locale ¼. De plus, 16,2 % des participantes et des participants ont été caractérisés comme étant socialement isolés. Dans nos modèles ajustés, nous n'avons observé aucun écart significatif (rapport de cotes (RC) = 0,99; IC de 95 % : 0,93­1,04) dans la solitude autodéclarée en lien avec une augmentation de l'écart interquartile (EI) de l'IVDN (0,06). Cependant, pour le même changement dans la verdure, la probabilité pour les participantes et les participants d'être tout à fait d'accord avec l'énoncé qu'ils « vivent de la solitude dans leur zone locale ¼ était réduite de 15 % (RC = 0,85, IC de 95 % : 0,72­0,99). Et pour chaque augmentation de l'EI de l'IVDN, nous avons observé une baisse de 7 % (RC = 0,93, IC de 95 % : 0,88­0,97) de la prévalence de l'isolement social. CONCLUSION: Nos constatations indiquent que la verdure urbaine joue un rôle dans la réduction de la solitude et de l'isolement social chez les citadins et citadines au Canada.

Physical frailty and survival time after the onset of functional disability: Is there a sex difference?

BACKGROUND: Physical frailty accelerates the timing of both subsequent disability and death; however, evidence regarding the impact of frailty on the period from disability onset to death and sex differences of this impact is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship among physical frailty, disability, death, and sex differences. METHODS: This Japanese cohort study included 10,524 community-dwelling people aged ≥65 years. Physical frailty was operationalized by key phenotypes as per Fried's criteria (slowness, weakness, exhaustion, weight loss, and low activity) at baseline. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for disability onset and post-disability survival according to the frailty status. RESULTS: During a 5-year follow-up, the risk of disability onset for pre-frailty (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.51-2.00) and frailty (HR: 3.27, 95% CI: 2.77-3.87) were significantly higher than that for robust people. Furthermore, among participants who developed disabilities within 5 years (n = 1481), the risk of post-disability death for pre-frailty was not different from that for robust (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.99-2.24), but frailty showed a higher risk of post-disability death than did robust people. (HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.13-2.72). In the sex-stratified analysis, although the female group showed no association between frailty status and post-disability death (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.63-2.33 in pre-frailty; HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.60-2.57 in frailty), the male group showed higher risk of post-disability death in both pre-frailty (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03-2.96) and frailty (HR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.32-4.09). CONCLUSIONS: Physical frailty shortens the period from disability onset to death. Additionally, the impact of frailty on post-disability death is greater for males than for females. Our findings suggest that physical frailty is an important clinical indicator distinct from disability and that interventions to prevent and address frailty in men need further investigation.

Protocol for validating an algorithm to identify neurocognitive disorders in Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: In population-based research, disease ascertainment algorithms can be as accurate as, and less costly than, performing supplementary clinical examinations on selected participants to confirm a diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder (NCD), but they require cohort-specific validation. To optimise the use of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to understand the epidemiology and burden of NCDs, the CLSA Memory Study will validate an NCD ascertainment algorithm to identify CLSA participants with these disorders using routinely acquired study data. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Up to 600 CLSA participants with equal numbers of those likely to have no NCD, mild NCD or major NCD based on prior self-reported physician diagnosis of a memory problem or dementia, medication consumption (ie, cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine) and/or self-reported function will be recruited during the follow-up 3 CLSA evaluations (started August 2021). Participants will undergo an assessment by a study clinician who will also review an informant interview and make a preliminary determination of the presence or absence of an NCD. The clinical assessment and available CLSA data will be reviewed by a Central Review Panel who will make a final categorisation of participants as having (1) no NCD, (2) mild NCD or, (3) major NCD (according to fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria). These will be used as our gold standard diagnosis to determine if the NCD ascertainment algorithm accurately identifies CLSA participants with an NCD. Weighted Kappa statistics will be the primary measure of agreement. Sensitivity, specificity, the C-statistic and the phi coefficient will also be estimated. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been received from the institutional research ethics boards for each CLSA Data Collection Site (Université de Sherbrooke, Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Research Ethics Board, University of Manitoba, McGill University, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Victoria, Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, Island Health (Formerly the Vancouver Island Health Authority, Simon Fraser University, Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board).The results of this work will be disseminated to public health professionals, researchers, health professionals, administrators and policy-makers through journal publications, conference presentations, publicly available reports and presentations to stakeholder groups.

Burden of chronic cough on social participation, healthcare resource utilisation and activities of daily living in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is a common troublesome condition, but it is unclear whether dry or productive chronic cough and sex, impacts the burden of cough differently. METHODS: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging is a nationally generalizable, stratified random sample of adults aged 45-85 years. Chronic cough was identified based on a self-reported daily cough in the last 12 months assessed at baseline (2011-2015) and follow-up (2015-2018). Odds ratios (95 % CI) for cough status and change in social participation activities (SPA), healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU), basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were estimated using a weighted generalised estimating equation (WGEE). Results were stratified by sex, and adjusted for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, education, respiratory diseases and retirement status. RESULTS: Overall, chronic cough was associated with less SPA, greater HCRU and impaired ADL/IADLs. Productive chronic cough in males was associated with SPA limited by health, ED visits and hospitalisation. Females with productive chronic cough was associated with reduced frequency of SPA and ED visit. Dry chronic cough in females was associated with SPA limited by health and ED visits. Both types of cough was associated with at least 1 impaired basic ADL, but only in females with productive chronic cough was there an association with any impairment in IADLs. CONCLUSION: Chronic cough is associated with a greater burden on social participation, healthcare use and personal care.

Measures of perceived mobility ability in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review of psychometric properties.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise the psychometric properties of measures of perceived mobility ability and related frameworks used to define and operationalise mobility in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: We registered the review protocol with PROSPERO (CRD42022306689) and included studies that examined the psychometric properties of perceived mobility measures in community-dwelling older adults. Five databases were searched to identify potentially relevant primary studies. We qualitatively summarised psychometric property estimates and related operational frameworks. We conducted risk of bias and overall quality assessments, and meta-analyses when at least three studies were included for a particular outcome. The synthesised results were compared against the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments criteria for good measurement properties. RESULTS: A total of 36 studies and 17 measures were included in the review. The Late-Life Function and Disability Index: function component (LLFDI-FC), lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), Mobility Assessment Tool (MAT)-short form (MAT-SF) or MAT-Walking, and Perceived Driving Abilities (PDA) Scale were identified with three or more eligible studies. Most measures showed sufficient test-retest reliability (moderate or high), while the PDA scale showed insufficient reliability (low). Most measures had sufficient or inconsistent convergent validity (low or moderate) or known-groups validity (low or very low), but their predictive validity and responsiveness were insufficient or inconsistent (low or very low). Few studies used a conceptual model. CONCLUSION: The LLFDI-FC, LEFS, PDA and MAT-SF/Walking can be used in community-dwelling older adults by considering the summarised psychometric properties. No available comprehensive mobility measure was identified that covered all mobility domains.

A unified framework for the measurement of mobility in older persons.

Mobility is often referred to as a 'sixth vital sign' because of its ability to predict critical health outcomes in later adulthood. In the World Health Organization (WHO) World Report on Aging and Health, mobility is described as movement in all its forms whether powered by the body or a vehicle. As such, mobility encompasses basic physical actions such as getting up from a chair and walking, as well as activities such as exercising, driving and using public transportation. A plethora of measurement tools have been developed to assess various aspects of mobility; however, there is wide variability in the mobility constructs being measured which limits standardisation and meaningful comparison across studies. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive framework for measuring mobility that considers three distinct facets of mobility: perceived mobility ability ('what can you do'), actual mobility ability ('what you actually do') and locomotor capacity for mobility ('what could you do'). These three facets of mobility are rooted in the three components of healthy aging endorsed by the WHO: functional ability, intrinsic capacity and environments. By proposing a unified framework for measuring mobility based on theory and empirical evidence, we can advance the science of monitoring and managing mobility to ensure functional ability in older age.

Assessing the measurement properties of life-space mobility measures in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Preserving and enhancing mobility is an important part of healthy ageing. Life-space mobility is a construct that captures actual mobility within the home and the community. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise the measurement properties and interpretability of scores produced by life-space mobility measures in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This systematic review followed Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). Multiple databases were searched to identify potentially relevant articles. Data extraction and assessment of methodological quality was conducted by two independent reviewers. When possible, results were quantitatively pooled for each measurement property. If studies could not be combined quantitatively, then findings were summarised qualitatively using means and percentage of confirmed hypothesis. Synthesised results were assessed against the COSMIN criteria for good measurement properties. RESULTS: A total of 21 full text articles were included in the review. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment (LSA) was the most evaluated life-space mobility measure. The LSA demonstrated content validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.80-0.92), reliability [intra-class correlation value 0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80, 0.94)] and convergent validity with measures of physical function in community-dwelling older adults. CONCLUSION: This systematic review summarised the measurement properties of life-space mobility measures in community-dwelling older adults following COSMIN guidelines. The LSA has been translated into multiple languages and has sufficient measurement properties for assessing life-space mobility among community-dwelling older adults.

Cognitive impairment indicator for the neuropsychological test batteries in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: definition and evidence for validity.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of overall cognitive impairment based on each participant's performance across a neuropsychological battery is challenging; consequently, we define and validate a dichotomous cognitive impairment/no cognitive indicator (CII) using a neuropsychological battery administered in a population-based study. This CII approximates the clinical practice of interpretation across a neuropsychological battery and can be applied to any neuropsychological dataset. METHODS: Using data from participants aged 45-85 in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging receiving a telephone-administered neuropsychological battery (Tracking, N = 21,241) or a longer in-person battery (Comprehensive, N = 30,097), impairment was determined for each neuropsychological test based on comparison with normative data. We adjusted for the joint probability of abnormally low scores on multiple neuropsychological tests using baserates of low scores demonstrated in the normative samples and created a dichotomous CII (i.e., cognitive impairment vs no cognitive impairment). Convergent and discriminant validity of the CII were assessed with logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Using the CII, the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 4.3% in the Tracking and 5.0% in the Comprehensive cohorts. The CII demonstrated strong convergent and discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: The approach for the CII is a feasible method to identify participants who demonstrate cognitive impairment on a battery of tests. These methods can be applied in other epidemiological studies that use neuropsychological batteries.