Metabolic syndrome and its association with changes in modifiable risk factors: Epifloripa aging study.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its association with changes in modifiable risk factors in older adults from southern Brazil. Methods: A longitudinal study was performed with data from EpiFloripa Aging study. We defined MetS by the existence of three or more of the following risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD): waist circumference (WC) (≥ 92 cm in men and ≥ 87 cm in women); fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dl); decreased HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dl in men and <50 mg/dl in women); hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dl) and blood pressure (≥130/85 mmHg). We evaluated the changes in modifiable risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and body mass index) between the two moments of the study (2009/10 and 2013/14). Directed acyclic graph and logistic regression models were used. Results: Among the 599 participants, the prevalence of MetS was 64.0% (95% CI, 58.7-68.9). In the adjusted analysis, those who remained or became persons who are overweight (OR = 4.59; 95% CI: 3.05-6.89) and those who remained or became insufficiently active (OR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.23-2.98) were more likely to present MetS. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that being or becoming overweight and being or becoming insufficiently active are modifiable factors associated with MetS. These results highlight the need for developing preventive strategies for the observed risk indicators to mitigate the prevalence of MetS in older adults.

Clustering of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Associated With Body Composition in Brazilian Older Adults.

This study described the clustering patterns of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time (ST) according to handgrip strength and investigated the association between identified clusters of fat and lean mass in older adults from southern Brazil. Objective measures were used for moderate to vigorous physical activity, ST, and body composition outcomes. Two-step cluster and linear regression analyses were conducted according to handgrip strength. Three clusters were identified: all-day sitters, sitters, and active sitters. The prevalence of clusters in the low-strength group was 58.2%, 22.8%, and 19.0%, respectively, while the prevalence of clusters in the high-strength group was 42.1%, 34.8%, and 23.1%, respectively. All-day sitters had 2.6% more fat mass than active sitters with low strength. High levels of ST characterized all cluster profiles; low strength, lack of moderate to vigorous physical activity, and high ST levels among older adults may indicate a subpopulation at a greater risk of overweight and obesity-related diseases.

Depressive symptoms as an independent risk factor for mortality

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between presence of depressive symptoms and risk of death in older adults residing in a municipality in Southern Brazil. Methods: Between 2009 and 2014, 1,391 people participated in the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study, a population-based longitudinal study. Depressive symptoms were assessed through the Geriatric Depression Scale. The initial time was considered the age at the first interview, and the end time, the age at the last contact or death. Cox regression models were used to estimate the mortality risk associated with depressive symptoms, adjusted by sex, education, income, paid work, smoking status, alcohol consumption, morbidities, medication use, physical activity, disability, cognitive impairment, and body mass index. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 23.5% (95%CI 20.4-26.9). On crude analysis, the risk of mortality was 1.86 (95%CI 1.35-2.55) for individuals with depressive symptoms; in adjusted models, the risk of mortality was 1.67 (95%CI 1.15-2.40). Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are an independent risk factor for mortality in older Brazilian adults. Our findings highlight the importance of screening this population for depression and the practice of preventive actions.

Depressive symptoms as an independent risk factor for mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between presence of depressive symptoms and risk of death in older adults residing in a municipality in Southern Brazil. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2014, 1,391 people participated in the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study, a population-based longitudinal study. Depressive symptoms were assessed through the Geriatric Depression Scale. The initial time was considered the age at the first interview, and the end time, the age at the last contact or death. Cox regression models were used to estimate the mortality risk associated with depressive symptoms, adjusted by sex, education, income, paid work, smoking status, alcohol consumption, morbidities, medication use, physical activity, disability, cognitive impairment, and body mass index. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 23.5% (95%CI 20.4-26.9). On crude analysis, the risk of mortality was 1.86 (95%CI 1.35-2.55) for individuals with depressive symptoms; in adjusted models, the risk of mortality was 1.67 (95%CI 1.15-2.40). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms are an independent risk factor for mortality in older Brazilian adults. Our findings highlight the importance of screening this population for depression and the practice of preventive actions.