Cross-sectional association of food insecurity with loneliness in older adults: The role of sex, age, and psychosomatic factors.

OBJECTIVE: Food insecurity (FI) is a critical social determinant of poor psychosocial health. While data on the specific roles of sex and age in the FI-loneliness link among older adults are limited, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. This study examines the age-sex-specific associations of FI with loneliness among older adults in Ghana and quantifies the extent to which psychosomatic factors mediate the association. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Aging, Health, Psychological, and Health-seeking Behavior Study in Ghana. The past 30-day FI was assessed using items on hunger and breakfast skipping frequency due to a lack of resources. We assessed loneliness severity with the University of California, Los Angeles 3-item Loneliness Scale. Multivariable OLS regressions and bootstrapping mediation analysis using the Hayes PROCESS macro plug-in were used to evaluate the associations. RESULTS: We included 1,201 individuals aged ≥50 years (mean = 62.9 [SD = 11.9]; women = 63.3%). The prevalence of loneliness was 17.7%. The prevalence of moderate and severe FI was 44.0% and 8.5%, respectively. In the adjusted model, greater FI was significantly associated with loneliness severity (B = .22, SE = .029, p < .001). We found significant interactive effects of FI × age (B = -.17, SE = .023, p < .01) and FI × sex (B = -.28, SE = .036, p < .001) on loneliness. Thus, the FI-loneliness link was respectively more marked among women (B = .25, SE = .035, p < .001) and ≥65 age groups (B = .34, SE = .041, p < .001) than men (B = .16, SE = .051, p < .01) and those aged 50-64 (B = .22; SE = .040, p < .001). Finally, comorbid depression/anxiety (41.07%), hopelessness (48.6%), worthlessness (42.1%), functional limitations (8.2%), and pain severity (6.4%) mediated the FI-loneliness association. CONCLUSIONS: Age- and sex-specific associations between FI and loneliness exist among older Ghanaians. Addressing FI in concert with psychosomatic problems in older adults may contribute meaningfully to reducing loneliness in later life.

Predictors of dementia among the oldest old: longitudinal findings from the representative "survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW80+)".

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our current study aimed to investigate the determinants of dementia among the oldest old using longitudinal data from a representative sample covering both community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals. METHODS/DESIGN: Longitudinal representative data were taken from the "Survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW80+)" that surveyed community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals aged 80 years and above (n = 1,296 observations in the analytic sample), living in North Rhine-Westphalia (most populous state of Germany). The established DemTect was used to measure cognitive impairment (i.e., probable dementia). A logistic random effects model was used to examine the determinants of probable dementia. RESULTS: The mean age was 86.3 years (SD: 4.2 years). Multiple logistic regressions revealed that a higher likelihood of probable dementia was positively associated with lower education (e.g., low education compared to medium education: OR: 3.31 [95% CI: 1.10-9.98]), a smaller network size (OR: 0.87 [95% CI: 0.79-0.96]), lower health literacy (OR: 0.29 [95% CI: 0.14-0.60]), and higher functional impairment (OR: 13.45 [3.86-46.92]), whereas it was not significantly associated with sex, age, marital status, loneliness, and depressive symptoms in the total sample. Regressions stratified by sex were also reported. DISCUSSION: Our study identified factors associated with dementia among the oldest old. This study extends current knowledge by using data from the oldest old; and by presenting findings based on longitudinal, representative data (also including individuals residing in institutionalized settings). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to increase, among other things, formal education, network size, and health literacy may be fruitful in postponing dementia, particularly among older women. Developing health literacy programs, for example, may be beneficial to reduce the burden associated with dementia.

Efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid in the treatment of osteoporosis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: Zoledronic acid can inhibit the activity of osteoclasts, and thus, may slow or inhibit bone loss. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid in the treatment of osteoporosis. Methods: Four databases, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, were systematically searched up to December 26, 2022. The primary outcomes included bone mineral density (BMD), carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), procollagen type 1 N-terminal prope-ptide (P1NP), adverse events, and fracture. Secondary outcomes included serum sclerostin level, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results: A total of 22 randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that zoledronic acid was effective in increasing BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter and serum sclerostin level; and reduced CTX, BSAP, P1NP, VAS score, and ODI in patients with osteoporosis. Regarding safety, zoledronic acid could reduce the incidence of fractures but had relatively more adverse events. Conclusion: Zoledronic acid can significantly improve BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and trochanter, and effectively reduce incidence of fracture in patients with osteoporosis, thereby significantly improving patients' quality of life. However, the incidence of adverse events was higher than that of patients treated with placebo.

More Movement, Less Bodily Pain? Findings From a Large, Representative Multi-District Aging Study in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: The association of physical activity (PA) with pain has been characterized. Although the literature largely comes from high-income countries, the mechanistic pathways underlying this association remain unknown, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aim to examine the association between meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) PA guidelines and pain among aging adults and identify the factors that may mediate this association. DESIGN: We used a quantitative cross-sectional study design. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Representative data from adults aged ≥50 years who participated in the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study were used. METHODS: PA was defined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Self-reported pain experience using a cross-culturally validated item over the past month assessed pain severity. Adjusted multivariable ordinal logistic regression and mediation models quantified the hypothesized associations. RESULTS: The analysis included 1201 adults (mean 66.1 ± 11.9 years; 63.3% female). After adjusting for confounders, adhering to the WHO-recommended PA guidelines was associated with 42% lower odds for severe/extreme pain [odds ratio (OR) 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.77]. The association was much stronger among men (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.85) than women (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.87). The PA-pain association was explained by functional limitations (84.7%), self-rated health (76.6%), sleep problems (20.4%), and injury (6.6%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Moving more was associated with less pain in older adults from LMICs. Interventions for pain management in old age may focus on enhancing compliance with PA doses, particularly in LMICs. However, longitudinal data will need to confirm these findings.

Food insecurity and mobility difficulty in middle-aged and older adults: The importance of bio-psychosocial factors.

OBJECTIVE: Food insecurity has been associated with mobility difficulty (MD) in old age. However, there is a scarcity of research on this topic from low- and middle-income countries, while the bio-psychological factors underlying this association are largely unknown. We investigated the food insecurity-MD link in Ghana and explored how sleep, anxiety, loneliness, and physical activity (PA) mediate the association. METHODS: Community-based, representative cross-sectional data from the Aging, Health, Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study were analyzed (N = 1201; Mage = 66.5; women = 63%). MD was assessed with items from the SF-36 of the Medical Outcomes Study. We assessed food insecurity with items on hunger and breakfast-skipping frequency due to lack of food and resources. Adjusted OLS and mediation models via bootstrapping technique evaluated the associations. RESULTS: Results revealed the expected association between food insecurity and MD, such that greater food insecurity was significantly and positively associated with MD across paths (from ß = 0.33 to ß = 0.42, p < .001). Analyses of indirect effects showed that sleep problems (27.8%), anxiety (15.5%), loneliness (17.5%), and PA (18.0%) mediated the association between food insecurity and MD. Cross-level interactions revealed that food insecurity significantly modified the link between each mediator and MD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide novel evidence that bio-psychological mechanisms may underlie the food insecurity-MD link and should, therefore, be considered relevant targets for interventions to prevent/manage MD in later life.

Pet ownership and psychosocial outcomes among the oldest old in Germany during the Covid-19 pandemic. Findings based on the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)".

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between pet ownership and psychosocial outcomes among the oldest old in Germany during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS/DESIGN: Data from the "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study were used, a large, nationwide representative study covering both individuals living at home and individuals in nursing homes aged 80 years and above (n = 2867 individuals). The telephone interviews were conducted from May to October 2021. Established tools (e.g., "Short Form of the Depression in Old Age Scale", DIA-S4) were used to quantify the outcomes. Five groups were generated: (1) no pet ownership, (2) having at least one dog (but no other pets), (3) having at least one cat (but no other pets), (4) having at least one other pet (but neither dogs nor cats), (5) having at least two different types of pets (in any combination). RESULTS: Multiple linear regressions showed that compared to individuals without a pet, individuals having at least one dog had significantly lower loneliness levels (ß = -0.21, p < 0.01). In the fully-adjusted models, other forms of pet ownership were not significantly associated with the outcomes examined. CONCLUSION: Particularly living with a dog was associated with lower loneliness among the oldest old people in Germany. If living with a dog is in line with the preferences and attitudes of the very old, this could be a strategy for reducing loneliness in this age group.

Hospital Length of Stay and Associated Factors in Patients with Osteoarthritis from Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: There is a scarcity of data on hospital length of stay (LOS) in the osteoarthritis population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate hospital LOS and associated factors in patients with osteoarthritis from Germany. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included patients hospitalized for osteoarthritis in one of fourteen hospitals in Germany between 2018 and 2023 (hospital database; IQVIA). The study outcome was the duration of hospital stay in days. Study covariables included age, sex, hospital department, osteoarthritis type, co-diagnosis, and hospitalization-related procedure. Associations between covariables and hospital LOS were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression models. Results: There were 8770 patients included in the study (mean [standard deviation] age 68.7 [10.8] years; 60.2% women). The mean (standard deviation) hospital LOS was 8.5 (5.0) days. Factors positively and significantly associated with hospital LOS were older age, female sex, orthopedic surgery and other medical specialty departments (compared with other surgery departments), knee and other and unspecified osteoarthritis (compared with hip osteoarthritis), multiple co-diagnoses (e.g., acute posthemorrhagic anemia, other disorders of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, and disorders of purine and pyrimidine metabolism), and several hospitalization-related procedures (i.e., geriatric rehabilitation, hip arthroplasty, and knee arthroplasty). Conclusions: The mean hospital LOS was higher than eight days in this osteoarthritis population from Germany, with a spectrum of demographic, clinical, and hospitalization-related factors associated with this hospital LOS. In this context, interventions are needed to reduce the LOS of hospitalizations for osteoarthritis in Germany.

Factors associated with institutionalization among the oldest old: Results based on the nationally representative study 'old age in Germany (D80+)'.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the factors associated with institutionalization among individuals aged 80 years and over in Germany (total sample and stratified by sex). METHODS/DESIGN: We used data from the nationally representative 'Old Age in Germany (D80+)' (analytic sample: n = 9572 individuals), including individuals aged 80 years and over in Germany. Institutionalization (private living vs. institutionalization) served as an outcome measure. For the written interview, data collection took place from November 2020 to April 2021. Multiple logistic regressions of the overall sample (also stratified by sex) were applied. RESULTS: In the analytic sample, 10.2% (95% CI: 9.2%-11.3%) of the participants were institutionalized. The odds of being institutionalized were positively associated with being female (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.80), being 90 years and over (compared to 80-84 years, OR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.40), not being married (e.g., being single compared to being married: OR: 14.06, 95% CI: 6.73 to 29.37), higher education (e.g., high education compared to low education: OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.25 to 2.84), more favorable self-rated health (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.62) and greater functional impairment (OR: 15.34, 95% CI: 11.91 to 19.74). Sex-stratified regressions were also conducted, mostly yielding similar results. CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted the role of several sociodemographic factors (particularly marital status, e.g., being single) and functional impairment for the risk of institutionalization among the oldest old in Germany. This study confirms findings in studies in younger samples that functional decline is the main factor associated with institutionalization. As functional decline may be modifiable, efforts to maintain functional abilities may be important. This knowledge is important for relevant groups (such as clinicians and policy-makers) because it may guide early intervention and prevention efforts, can help allocate healthcare resources effectively and shape policies to support independent living. Further insights using longitudinal data is recommended.

Risk of Sleep Problems in Middle-Aged and Older Adults Experiencing Bodily Pains: Serial Multiple Mediation Estimates of Emotional Distress and Activity Limitations.

OBJECTIVES: Pain is increasingly becoming common among middle-aged and older adults. While research on the association between pain characteristics and sleep problems (SP) is limited in low- and middle-income countries, the underlying mechanisms of the association are poorly understood. This study examines the association of bodily pain intensity and pain interference with SP and investigates the mediating role of activity limitation and emotional distress in this association. METHODS: We analyzed population-based data, including 1,201 individuals aged ≥50 (mean [SD] age 66.14 [11.85] years) from the 2016-2018 AgeHeaPsyWel-HeaSeeB study in Ghana. Multiple OLS regressions and serial multiple mediation modeling using bootstrapping analyses examined direct and indirect effects from pain to SP through activity limitation and emotional distress. RESULTS: Regressions demonstrated that pain intensity and interference were significantly associated with higher levels of activity limitation, emotional distress, and SP (range: ß = 0.049-0.658). Bootstrapping analysis showed that activity limitation and emotional distress serially mediated the relationship between pain intensity and SP (total effect: ß = 0.264, Bootstrap 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.165-0.362; direct effect: (ß = 0.107, Bootstrap 95% CI = 0.005-0.210; total indirect effect: ß = 0.156, Bootstrap 95% CI = 0.005-0.210) accounting for ∼59%. Activity limitation and emotional distress mediated pain interference and SP association (total effect: ß = 0.404, Bootstrap 95% CI = 0.318-0.490; direct effect: ß = 0.292, Bootstrap 95% CI = 0.201-0.384; and total indirect effect: ß = 0.112, Bootstrap 95% CI = 0.069-0.156) yielding ∼28%. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that activity limitation and emotional distress may convey stress-related risks of pain on SP. Future research should evaluate if activity limitation and emotional distress could be effective targets to reduce the effect of pain on sleep in later-life.

Prevalence and factors associated with probable depression among the oldest old during the Covid-19 pandemic: evidence from the large, nationally representative 'Old Age in Germany (D80+)' study.

BACKGROUND: To date, most studies examining the prevalence and determinants of depression among individuals aged 80 and over have used geographically limited samples that are not generalisable to the wider population. Thus, our aim was to identify the prevalence and the factors associated with probable depression among the oldest old in Germany based on nationally representative data. METHODS: Data were taken from the nationally representative 'Old Age in Germany (D80+)' study (n = 8386; November 2020 to April 2021) covering both community-dwelling and institutionalised individuals aged 80 and over. The Short Form of the Depression in Old Age Scale was used to quantify probable depression. RESULTS: Probable depression was found in 40.7% (95% CI: 39.5% to 42.0%) of the sample; 31.3% were men (95% CI: 29.7% to 32.9%) and 46.6% women (95% CI: 44.9% to 48.3%). The odds of probable depression were positively associated with being female (odds ratio (OR): 1.55, 95% CI: 1.30 to 1.84), being divorced (compared to being married, OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.76), being widowed (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.30), having a low education (e.g., medium education compared to low education, OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.99), living in an institutionalised setting (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.84 to 3.02), living in East Germany (OR: 1.21, 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.39), not having German citizenship (German citizenship compared to other citizenship, OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.95), poor self-rated health (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.34), and the number of chronic conditions (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.14). CONCLUSION: About four out of 10 individuals aged 80 and over in Germany had probable depression, underlining the importance of this challenge. Knowledge of specific risk factors for this age group may assist in addressing older adults at risk of probable depression.

Effects of therapeutic ultrasound in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Therapeutic ultrasound (US) is a treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), but its efficacy and safety are unclear. The objective of this study is to quantify the effect of US on pain relief and function recovery in KOA, and to analyze the US treatment duration and parameters on treatment outcome. Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane databases and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to April 7, 2023. RCTs that compared the efficacy of therapeutic US with the control in KOA were included in the study, and the methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results: Twenty-one RCTs (1315 patients) were included. US had a positive effect on visual analog scale (VAS) (SMD = -0.64, 95 % CI [-0.88, -0.40], I2 = 71 %) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) total scale (SMD = -0.45, 95 % CI [-0.69, -0.20]; I2 = 67 %). Pulsed US with an intensity ≤2.5 W/cm2 reduced visual analog scale (VAS), and differed in sessions (24 sessions (SMD = -0.80, 95 % CI [-1.07, -0.53], I2 = 0 %) vs 10 sessions (SMD = -0.71, 95 % CI [-1.09, -0.33], I2 = 68 %)). For pulsed US, a duration of treatment of 4-8 weeks (SMD = -0.69, 95 % CI [-1.13, -0.25], I2 = 73 %) appeared to be superior to ≤4 weeks (SMD = -0.77, 95 % CI [-1.04, -0.49], I2 = 0 %) for reducing visual analog scale (VAS). No US treatment-related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Therapeutic US may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with KOA. The mode, intensity, frequency, and duration of US may affect the effectiveness of pain relief. Pulsed US with an intensity ≤2.5 W/cm2, 24 sessions, and a treatment duration of ≤4 weeks appears to have better pain relief.

Problematic social media use mediates the effect of cyberbullying victimisation on psychosomatic complaints in adolescents.

Adolescent psychosomatic complaints remain a public health issue globally. Studies suggest that cyberbullying victimisation, particularly on social media, could heighten the risk of psychosomatic complaints. However, the mechanisms underlying the associations between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints remain unclear. This cross-cultural study examines the mediating effect of problematic social media use (PSMU) on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints among adolescents in high income countries. We analysed data on adolescents aged 11-16.5 years (weighted N = 142,298) in 35 countries participating in the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Path analysis using bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesised mediating role of PSMU. Results from the sequential binary mixed effects logit models showed that adolescents who were victims of cyberbullying were 2.39 times significantly more likely to report psychosomatic complaints than those who never experienced cyberbullying (AOR = 2.39; 95%CI = 2.29, 2.49). PSMU partially mediated the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints accounting for 12% ( ß  = 0.01162, 95%CI = 0.0110, 0.0120) of the total effect. Additional analysis revealed a moderation effect of PSMU on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints. Our findings suggest that while cyberbullying victimisation substantially influences psychosomatic complaints, the association is partially explained by PSMU. Policy and public health interventions for cyberbullying-related psychosomatic complaints in adolescents should target safe social media use.

Factors associated with loneliness among individuals aged 80 years and over: Findings derived from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the factors associated with loneliness in individuals aged 80 years and older in Germany (also stratified by sex). METHODS: Data from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" were employed. The analytic sample equaled 10,031 individuals. The D80+ study included community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals ≥ 80 years in Germany. Multiple linear regressions were used (with sociodemographic and health-related explanatory factors). The collection of data occurred between November 2020 and April 2021 (written questionnaire). RESULTS: Higher loneliness was significantly associated with not being married (e.g., widowed compared to being married, ß=0.37, p<.001), being institutionalized (ß=0.33, p<.001), low education (high education compared to low education, ß=-0.07, p<.01), a higher number of chronic conditions (ß=0.02, p<.001), poor self-rated health (ß=-0.19, p<.001) and greater functional impairment (ß=0.15, p<.001). Sex-stratified regressions produced comparable results. However, low education was only associated with higher loneliness among men, but not women (with significant interaction: education x sex). CONCLUSION: Several sociodemographic and health-related factors can contribute to loneliness among the oldest old in Germany, with sex-specific associations between education and loneliness. Overall, such knowledge can aid to address individuals with higher loneliness levels.

Meeting the WHO Physical Activity Guidelines is Associated With Lower Odds of Depression in Older Adults: Potential Psychosomatic Mechanisms.

OBJECTIVES: Limited data exist on the association between physical activity (PA) and depression in older adults from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, we examine the association between meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) PA guidelines and depression in adults aged ≥50 years in Ghana and investigate the psychosomatic factors explaining this association. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study in Ghana (2016-18) were analyzed. Depression was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Multivariable logistic regression and Hayes PROCESS macro with bootstrapping mediation analyses were performed to evaluate the hypothesized associations. RESULTS: The study included 1201 individuals (mean [SD] age 66.1 [11.9] years; 63.3% women). The prevalence of meeting PA guidelines and depression was 36.7% and 29.5%, respectively. Meeting the WHO-recommended PA guidelines was associated with a 16% lower rate of developing depression even after adjusting for potential confounders (OR = 0.84, p <0.001). This association was much stronger among men and those aged 50-64 years. Loneliness, social isolation, sleep problems, functional limitations, and pain characteristics largely mediated the association of PA with depression. CONCLUSIONS: PA was negatively associated with depression among older adults in Ghana, and psychosocial and physical factors partially explained the association. The promotion of PA in old age may aid in the prevention of depression, especially in men and those aged 50-64 years. Longitudinal data may confirm our findings.

Determinants of psychosocial factors amongst the oldest old: Longitudinal evidence based on the representative "survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia".

OBJECTIVES: There are few studies investigating the determinants of psychosocial outcomes using data exclusively from the oldest old; and even fewer that use longitudinal data. Thus, our aim was to explore the determinants of psychosocial factors (in terms of life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms) amongst the oldest old (also stratified by sex) based on representative, longitudinal data from Germany. METHODS/DESIGN: Data from "Survey on quality of life and subjective well-being of the very old in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW80+)" were used. This study includes community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals aged 80 years and above (n = 1760 observations in the analytical sample) located in North Rhine-Westphalia (the most populous state in Germany). The mean age was 86.6 years (SD: 4.3 years). Established instruments were used to quantify life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Linear FE regressions were used in this study to mitigate the challenge of unobserved heterogeneity. Sex-stratified regressions were also conducted. RESULTS: Regressions showed that the loss of a spouse was significantly associated with worsening psychosocial factors (in terms of increases in depressive symptoms and loneliness). Furthermore, regressions revealed that increases in functional impairment were significantly associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal study enhanced our understanding of the factors contributing to poorer psychosocial outcomes among the oldest old. Efforts to avoid or postpone functional impairment may contribute to more favorable psychosocial outcomes. Moreover, our current study underlines the importance of spousal relationships for psychosocial outcomes in the oldest age group.

International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision Surrogates of the Modified Frailty Index and 12-Month Referral to the Hospital in an Older Population from Germany.

Background: The International Classification of Diseases-10th revision (ICD-10) surrogates of the modified frailty index (mFI) have been defined in recent research. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of these ICD-10 surrogates and their association with hospital referral in an older population from Germany. Methods: The present sample included adults aged ≥65 years followed in German general practices between 2010 and 2021. The index date was the most recent visit date. There were 11 ICD-10 surrogates of the mFI, including a total of 52 diagnoses. These surrogates were assessed in the 12 months prior to the index date. Referral to the hospital was analyzed in the 12 months following the index date. Covariates included age and sex. Results: There were 1,406,038 patients included in the study (mean (standard deviation) age 77.0 (7.9) years; 56.2% women). The prevalence of the ICD-10 surrogates of the mFI ranged from 3.3% for a "history of transient ischemic attack or stroke without neurological deficit" to 68.1% for a "history of hypertension requiring medication". In addition, 24%, 37%, and 23% of participants had 1, 2-3, and >3 ICD-10 surrogates of the mFI, respectively. There was a positive and significant relationship between the number of ICD-10 surrogates and 12-month incident hospital referral (reference: 0 surrogate; 1 surrogate: HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.31-1.42; 2-3 surrogates: HR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.93-2.08; >3 surrogates: HR = 3.32, 95% CI = 3.19-3.44). Conclusions: ICD-10 surrogates of the mFI were relatively frequent and were significantly associated with 12-month incident hospital referral in this sample of older adults from general practices in Germany.

Vision and hearing problems and psychosocial outcomes: longitudinal evidence from the German Ageing Survey.

PURPOSE: To examine whether changes in vision and hearing problems are associated with changes in psychosocial outcomes (in terms of depressive symptoms, loneliness, and perceived social isolation). METHODS: We used longitudinal data from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey, which covers individuals aged 43 years and over (wave 6 and wave 7, with 7108 observations and mean age of 67.5 years, SD 10.2 years). The 6-item De Jong Gierveld tool was used to quantify loneliness, the Bude and Lantermann tool was used to quantify perceived social isolation, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (15-item version) was used to quantify depressive symptoms. Self-rated problems reading the newspaper due to vision problems and self-rated difficulties recognizing known people on the street due to vision problems were used to quantify vision problems. In addition, self-rated hearing problems on the telephone and self-rated hearing problems in groups of more than four people were used to quantify hearing problems. RESULTS: Adjusting for various confounders, longitudinal regressions showed that the onset of major vision problems referring to difficulties recognizing people one knows on the street was associated with increases in loneliness (ß = 0.17, p < .01) and depressive symptoms (ß = 1.90, p < 0.05). Moreover, the onset of some vision problems referring to difficulties reading the newspaper was associated with increases in perceived social isolation (ß = 0.06, p < 0.01). Additionally, the onset of some hearing problems in groups of more than four people was associated with increases in depressive symptoms (ß = 0.43, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our longitudinal study showed that vision and hearing problems can contribute differently to psychosocial factors. Delaying sensory impairment may result in favorable psychosocial factors in later life.

Diabetes mellitus and functional limitations among older adults: Evidence from a large, representative Ghanaian aging study.

OBJECTIVES: Literature linking diabetes mellitus (DM) to functional status is limited in low- and middle-income countries. Importantly, factors influencing this association are even less understood. This study aims to examine the association of DM with functional limitations (FL) in older adults and to identify potential factors influencing this association. METHODS: In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined the association between DM and basic and instrumental activities of daily living-related FL in 1201 adults aged ≥50 years from the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study. DM was defined as a self-report of physician diagnosis. The associations were assessed using hierarchical regression estimates and bootstrapping technique via the Hayes PROCESS macro program. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM and FL was 10.1% and 36.1%, respectively, with OR = 2.50 (95%CI = 1.59-3.92) after accounting for sociodemographic factors, smoking, alcohol use, self-rated health, loneliness, and sleep quality. After full adjustment, polytomous regressions showed that the association of DM with FL increased with the number of FL (i.e., OR = 1.60 for 1-2, OR = 1.88 for 3-5, and OR = 2.0o for >5 FL compared with no FL). However, this association was attenuated after controlling for physical activity (OR = 2.06, 95%CI = 1.28-3.31), hypertension (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.14-2.99), stroke (OR = 1.82, 95%CI = 1.20-2.93), and pain facets (OR = 1.80, 95%CI = 1.04-3.02). PA thus mediated 40.39% of the DM-FL association. CONCLUSIONS: In this representative study, older adults with DM showed higher odds for FL, and this association was partially explained by physical activity and health variables. Investing in a holistic management approach might be helpful for public health planning efforts to address DM-induced FL in old age.

Handling students' misbehaviors in crowded classrooms: the nursing faculty members' experiences.

INTRODUCTION: The ability of teachers to organize classes and manage the behavior of their students is critical in achieving positive educational outcomes. The aim of this study was to explain the experiences of nursing faculty members in managing disruptive behaviors in the classroom. METHODS: The study adopted descriptive explanatory qualitative study design and provided an avenue to explain the experiences of nursing faculty members in managing disruptive behavior in the classroom Participants were included via the purposive sampling. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The content analysis presented by Graneheim and Lundman was used to analyze the data. The present study utilized four strength criteria, including credibility, confirmability, transferability, and dependability. RESULTS: The finding were presented using five themes that emerged from 350 open codes, including managing disruptive behavior in the classroom, guiding the disruptive student, trying to increase learning, and making the class more interesting, setting the rules and regulations of the class with sub-categories. CONCLUSIONS: Participants cited strategies that they enabled to understand the cause of misbehavior and implement strategies to modify students' misbehaviors by creating a safe and healthy climate to nurture effective learning by students.