Functional capacity and dual-task cost in the institutionalized older adults, both affected and unaffected by mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects 10-20% of the individuals over the age of 65; this proportion being higher in the institutional care facilities than within a general population. AIM: To assess whether dual-task cost in the individuals affected by MCI depends exclusively on gait, or possibly some other functional capacity components might also come into play, as compared to the healthy controls also remaining in the institutional care. METHODS: The study was conducted in five nursing facilities, involving 88 subjects in total, i.e. 44 subjects affected by MCI (mean age of 83.8 years; 34 women (77.3%) and 10 men (22.7%), and 44 healthy controls (mean age 81.67 years; 38 women (84.4%) and 7 men (15.6%). Cognitive functions were assessed through Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while gait by Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). Gait speed was calculated by the 10 Meter Walk Test, and the fear of falling with the Falls Efficacy Scale International. Dual tasks were assessed by TUGTMAN (Timed Up and Go Test Manual) and TUGCOG (Timed Up and Go Test Cognitive). Dual Task Cost (DTC) of TUGTMAN and TUGTCOG was established. Statistical analyses were completed with STATISTICA Package v. 10. RESULTS: Individuals affected by MCI differed significantly from the unaffected ones with regard to their gait test results, when assigned a single-task activity, and dual-task activities, as well as in the gait speed. Dual Task Cost Manual (DTCMAN) in the MCI group was significantly higher, as compared to the subjects unaffected by MCI. Around 25% of the variance of DTCMAN result regarding the MCI group was accounted for by gait performance in the single-task conditions (TUGT). In the case of Dual Task Cost Cognitive (DTCCOG), this value equalled to approx. 10%. A 1% change in DTCMAN corresponded to approx. 0.5 s change in TUGT, whereas a 1% change in DTCCOG entailed approx. 0.35 s change in TUGT walking time. CONCLUSION: Individual functional capacity affected the dual-task performance, especially the motor-motor tasks. Dual-task cost in the subjects affected by MCI was significantly reduced, being more dependent on the gait speed in the motor-motor tasks, which entailed visual memory, than in the motor-cognitive tasks.

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages and the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is not consistent and may vary between populations, depending on age, sex, ethnicity, cultural traditions and lifestyle. We have hypothesized that moderate alcohol consumption will be associated with the lowest risk of the syndrome. The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between the current consumption of alcohol and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. The research material includes data obtained from 12,285 men and women, in the age range of 37-66 years. Multiple logistic regression was used in the statistical analysis. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. In men, a current consumption of >30 g of alcohol/day was significantly associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.25-2.39), high blood pressure (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.64-4.65), elevated glucose concentration (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.24-2.32), and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.07-2.92). In women, the consumption from 10.1 to 15.0 g of alcohol was associated only with a higher risk of abnormal glucose concentration (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.14-2.38.) In both sexes, current alcohol consumption was associated with higher high-density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol concentration (p < 0.05). No relationship was found between alcohol consumption and triglyceride concentration. It is difficult to formulate unequivocal recommendations regarding alcohol intake in MetS prophylaxis due to its different association with particular MetS components. In order to explain the causal relationship between alcohol consumption and MetS and its components, prospective studies are necessary.

The Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages and the Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases in Men and Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Associations between alcohol consumption and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases have been the subject of several studies for a long time; however, the presence and nature of any associations still remain unclear. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations between the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in men and women. The data of 12,285 individuals aged 37-66 were used in the analysis. Multiple logistic regression models were utilized to estimate odds ratios and confidence intervals. The multivariable models included several potential confounders including age, education, marital status, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, smoking, coffee consumption, and statin use. The analyses were performed separately for men and women. In the model adjusted for confounders, the consumption from 0.1 to 10.0 g of alcohol/day was related to a lower risk of coronary disease and stroke (p < 0.05), and the consumption from 0.1 to 15.0 g/day was related to a lower risk of hypertension in women (p < 0.05). In men, in the adjusted model, there were no associations between alcohol consumption and the occurrence of hypertension or stroke. The risk of circulatory failure was significantly lower in the group in which participants drank more than 20.0 g of alcohol/day (p < 0.05) compared to nondrinkers. The risk of coronary disease was lower in drinkers at every level of alcohol consumption (p < 0.05) compared to nondrinkers. Alcohol consumption was related to a lower prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), both in men and women.

The prevelance of metabolic syndrome on the sample of paramedics

Objectives: The term metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the coexistence of interlinked risk factors of metabolic origin, contributing to the development of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases as well as type 2 diabetes and their cardiovascular complications. The aim of the study is the assessment of the prevalence of MetS among paramedics of the Swietokrzyskie Center of Emergency Medical Services, depending on the adopted diagnostic criteria. Material and Methods: The study included 140 paramedics (2 women and 138 men), aged 23­60 years old (median = 43 years, average age = 41.5 years, standard deviation = 10.8 years). The age distribution of the subjects was significantly different from the normal distribution (p-value < 0.0001). The oldest age group (50 years old and above) was overrepresented by nearly a half compared to the youngest group (up to 29 years old). Metabolic syndrome was defined on the basis of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria from 2005 and IDF in agreement with the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) from 2009. Results: According to the IDF/2005 criteria, in which the necessary condition is the diagnosis of central obesity, MetS was recorded in 26.4% of the subjects (37 people). This is statistically significantly less often than the IDF/AHA/NHLBI/2009 definition of p = 0.001 ­ 35%. The frequency of the MetS occurrence was statistically significantly related to the age of the subjects and the age groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of the MetS in the subject group is evaluated to be significant. The prevalence of MetS is diversified by the applied diagnostic criteria with age being the factor increasing its frequency. The most common factor influencing the prevalence of MetS is blood pressure and waist circumference.

Relationship Between Sitting Time, Physical Activity, and Metabolic Syndrome Among Adults Depending on Body Mass Index (BMI).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the possible relationship between sitting time and physical activity and the risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome and its components. Analyses were conducted in the whole sample, and with stratification according to BMI. We have formulated a hypothesis that individuals with different BMIs have different responses to metabolic health modifiers such as physical activity and sitting time. MATERIAL AND METHODS Altogether, the data from 10 367 participants from urban and rural areas, aged 37-66 years were used in the study (7479 of whom were overweight or obese). The definition of metabolic syndrome devised by the IDF Joint Interim Statement criteria using an ethnic-specific cut-off point for waist circumference as the central obesity criterion was used. RESULTS In all analyzed BMI groups, longer sitting time was only associated with abdominal obesity (all p for trend <0.05). In participants declaring low physical activity levels, the risk of metabolic syndrome and abnormal triglycerides concentration was higher compared to those declaring high physical activity, regardless of BMI (all p for trend <0.05). In the group with overweight or obesity, low physical activity was associated with a higher risk of abdominal obesity (p for trend <0.05), increased glucose concentration (p for trend <0.05), and elevated blood pressure (p for trend <0.05). In participants with a normal BMI, these associations did not occur. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that physical activity helps preventive metabolic syndrome and its abnormal components, especially in participants who are overweight or obese.

Dietary Patterns in Relation to Metabolic Syndrome among Adults in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In several populations the associations between diet and the risk of metabolic syndrome have not been fully examined yet. The aim of the study is to identify the main dietary patterns among Polish adults and the evaluation of the relationships of these patterns with metabolic syndrome and its components. The study was conducted on a group of 7997 participants, aged between 37 and 66 years old. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. Three dietary patterns were identified and designated as: "Healthy", "Westernized" and "Traditional-carbohydrate". In the adjusted model, a higher score in the "Westernized" pattern aligns with a higher risk of abnormal glucose concentration (ptrend = 0.000), but with a lower risk of abnormal High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol HDL-cholesterol concentration (ptrend = 0.024). Higher scores in the "Traditional-carbohydrate" pattern were connected with the risk of abdominal obesity (ptrend = 0.001) and increased triglycerides concentration (ptrend = 0.050). Our results suggest that adherence to the "Traditional-carbohydrate" dietary pattern, characterized by higher intakes of refined grains, potatoes, sugar and sweets is associated with a higher risk of abdominal obesity and triglyceridemia. A "Westernized" dietary pattern on the other hand, is related to hyperglycemia. The study results can be used for community-based health promotion and intervention programs to prevent or better manage chronic diseases.

Coffee consumption and the occurrence and intensity of metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

The objective of the study was to investigate associations between coffee consumption and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in individuals with a normal BMI, as well in those who are overweight and obese. The analysis was based on the data of 10,367 participants. The studies included a questionnaire interview, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements and analyses of collected fasting-blood samples. In the overweight and obese participants, lower coffee consumption, compared with higher consumption was correlated with a significantly higher risk of abdominal obesity, hypertension, an abnormal glucose concentration, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and MetS (p < .05). In the participants with a normal BMI, lower coffee consumption was related to the abdominal obesity, HDL cholesterol and MetS (p < .05). Individuals with a normal BMI may react slightly differently to nutritional factors modifying metabolism such as coffee, compared with those with excessive body mass.

Factors Associated with Adiposity, Lipid Profile Disorders and the Metabolic Syndrome Occurrence in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women.

The aim of the study was the assessment of the dependencies between a woman's menopausal status and adiposity, lipid profile and metabolic syndrome occurrence, as well as finding out whether the correlations between the socio-demographic profile and lifestyle elements and adiposity, lipid profile and the risk of MetS are the same before and after menopause. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 3636 women, aged between 40-59, which involved a questionnaire interview, anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples, on the basis of which the concentration of triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose was estimated. Before menopause, a greater adiposity (BMIß = 0.08; %BFß = 0.07; WCß = 0.06) was characteristic for women living in a stable relationship than for single women. Women who smoked in the past were characterized by a higher BMI (ß = 0.09) and WC (ß = 0.06) in comparison with women who have never smoked, while after menopause a greater adiposity (%BFß = 0.12) and a worse lipid profile (TCß = 0.08; LDLß = 0.07; HDLß = -0.05; TGß = 0.14) were present in women currently smoking, in comparison to women who have never smoked. After menopause, in women who had two or more children, a greater adiposity (BMIß = 0.07 and 0.09; %BFß = 0.05 and 0.07) and a higher risk of MetS (OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.03-1.44) was observed compared to nulliparous women, than before menopause. In women with a higher level of education, the risk of MetS after menopause was significantly lower compared with women with a lower level of education (OR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.61-0.90). Physical activity after menopause had a higher influence on the decrease in the women's adiposity (BMIß = -0.11 v. -0.06; %BFß = -0.11 v. -0.06; WCß = -0.14 v. -0.08), than before menopause. In women not undergoing hormone replacement therapy, some of the socio-demographic factors and lifestyle elements affected adiposity, lipid profile and the risk of MetS differently before and after menopause, which requires verification through long-term research.