Orthostatic hypotension and its association with cerebral small vessel disease in a memory clinic population.

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic hypotension (OH), an impaired blood pressure (BP) response to postural change, has been associated with cognitive decline and dementia, possibly through cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We hypothesized that longer duration of BP drop and a larger BP drop is associated with increased risk of CSVD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 3971 memory clinic patients (mean age 68 years, 45% female, 42% subjective cognitive complaints, 17% mild cognitive impairment, 41% dementia) from the Amsterdam Ageing Cohort and Amsterdam Dementia Cohort. Early OH (EOH) was defined as a drop in BP of ±20 mmHg systolic and/or 10 mmHg diastolic only at 1 min after standing, and delayed/prolonged OH (DPOH) at 1 and/or 3 min after standing. Presence of CSVD [white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, microbleeds] was assessed with MRI ( n  = 3584) or CT brain (n = 389). RESULTS: The prevalence of early OH was 9% and of delayed/prolonged OH 18%. Age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that delayed/prolonged OH, but not early OH, was significantly associated with a higher burden of WMH (OR, 95%CI: 1.21, 1.00-1.46) and lacunes (OR, 95%CI 1.34, 1.06-1.69), but not microbleeds (OR, 95%CI 1.22, 0.89-1.67). When adjusting for supine SBP, these associations attenuated (ORs, 95%CI for WMH 1.04, 0.85-1.27; for lacunes 1.21, 0.91-1.62; for microbleeds 0.95, 0.68-1.31). A larger drop in SBP was associated with increased risk of WMH and microbleeds, however, when adjusted for supine SBP, this effect diminished. CONCLUSIONS: Among memory clinic patients, DPOH is more common than EOH. While longer duration and larger magnitude of BP drop coincided with a higher burden of CSVD, these associations were largely explained by high supine BP.

Applying systems thinking to unravel the mechanisms underlying orthostatic hypotension related fall risk.

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is an established and common cardiovascular risk factor for falls. An in-depth understanding of the various interacting pathophysiological pathways contributing to OH-related falls is essential to guide improvements in diagnostic and treatment opportunities. We applied systems thinking to multidisciplinary map out causal mechanisms and risk factors. For this, we used group model building (GMB) to develop a causal loop diagram (CLD). The GMB was based on the input of experts from multiple domains related to OH and falls and all proposed mechanisms were supported by scientific literature. Our CLD is a conceptual representation of factors involved in OH-related falls, and their interrelatedness. Network analysis and feedback loops were applied to analyze and interpret the CLD, and quantitatively summarize the function and relative importance of the variables. Our CLD contains 50 variables distributed over three intrinsic domains (cerebral, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal), and an extrinsic domain (e.g., medications). Between the variables, 181 connections and 65 feedback loops were identified. Decreased cerebral blood flow, low blood pressure, impaired baroreflex activity, and physical inactivity were identified as key factors involved in OH-related falls, based on their high centralities. Our CLD reflects the multifactorial pathophysiology of OH-related falls. It enables us to identify key elements, suggesting their potential for new diagnostic and treatment approaches in fall prevention. The interactive online CLD renders it suitable for both research and educational purposes and this CLD is the first step in the development of a computational model for simulating the effects of risk factors on falls.

Patterns of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity and Their Association with Changes in Physical and Functional Performance in Geriatric Rehabilitation Inpatients.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether The Ending PyJama (PJ) Paralysis campaign, focused on increasing in-hospital physical activity, affects objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns and if these are associated with changes in physical and functional performance in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Within the REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) observational, longitudinal cohort of geriatric rehabilitation inpatients, the Ending PJ Paralysis campaign was implemented on 2 out of 4 wards. METHODS: Objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity were measured by an inertial sensor (ActivPAL4) for 1 week, comparing control (non-PJ) and intervention (PJ) groups using linear mixed models. Mean sedentary behavior and physical activity measures and their association with physical and functional performance changes were investigated by linear regression analyses, stratified by low vs high performance at admission using the median as a cut-off. RESULTS: A total of 145 (n = 68 non-PJ and n = 77 PJ) inpatients with a mean age of 83.0 (7.7) years (55.9% female inpatients) were included. The median nonupright time was 23.1 [22.1-23.6] and 23.0 [21.8-23.6] hours/day for non-PJ and PJ groups, respectively. Objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity measures did not significantly change over measurement days and were independent of the Ending PJ Paralysis campaign. For inpatients with low performance at admission, lower sedentary behavior [B(SE) -0.013 (0.005) to -0.157 (0.045), P < .01] and higher physical activity [B(SE) 0.033 (0.007) to 0.814 (0.200), P < .01] measures were associated with improved physical performance. In addition, lower sedentary behaviour [B(SE) = -0.058 (0.024), P < .05 and higher physical activity [B (SE) 0.060 (0.024) to 0.683 (0.182), P < .05] were associated with improved instrumental functional performance. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In geriatric rehabilitation inpatients, the Ending PJ Paralysis campaign did not affect objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns. Lower mean sedentary behaviour and higher physical activity measures were associated with improved physical and functional performance in inpatients with low performance.

Knowledge of Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines is Not Associated with Physical Function in Dutch Older Adults Attending a Healthy Ageing Public Engagement Event.

Purpose: Evidence-based guidelines on nutrition and physical activity are used to increase knowledge in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. However, actual knowledge of guidelines is limited and whether it is associated with health outcomes is unclear. Participants and Methods: This inception cohort study aimed to investigate the association of knowledge of nutrition and physical activity guidelines with objective measures of physical function and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults attending a public engagement event in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Knowledge of nutrition and physical activity according to Dutch guidelines was assessed using customized questionnaires. Gait speed and handgrip strength were proxies of physical function and the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity in minutes/week. Linear regression analysis, stratified by gender and adjusted for age, was used to study the association between continuous and categorical knowledge scores with outcomes. Results: In 106 older adults (mean age=70.1 SD=6.6, years) who were highly educated, well-functioning, and generally healthy, there were distinct knowledge gaps in nutrition and physical activity which did not correlate with one another (R2=0.013, p=0.245). Knowledge of nutrition or physical activity guidelines was not associated with physical function or physical activity. However, before age-adjustment nutrition knowledge was positively associated with HGS in males (B= 0.64 (95% CI: 0.05, 1.22)) and having knowledge above the median was associated with faster gait speed in females (B=0.10 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.19)). Conclusion: Our findings may represent a ceiling effect of the impact knowledge has on physical function and activity in the this high performing and educated population and that there may be other determinants of behavior leading to health status such as attitude and perception to consider in future studies.

The Physical Activity and Nutritional INfluences in Ageing (PANINI) Toolkit: A Standardized Approach towards Physical Activity and Nutritional Assessment of Older Adults.

Assessing multiple domains of health in older adults requires multidimensional and large datasets. Consensus on definitions, measurement protocols and outcome measures is a prerequisite. The Physical Activity and Nutritional INfluences In Ageing (PANINI) Toolkit aims to provide a standardized toolkit of best-practice measures for assessing health domains of older adults with an emphasis on nutrition and physical activity. The toolkit was drafted by consensus of multidisciplinary and pan-European experts on ageing to standardize research initiatives in diverse populations within the PANINI consortium. Domains within the PANINI Toolkit include socio-demographics, general health, nutrition, physical activity and physical performance and psychological and cognitive health. Implementation across various countries, settings and ageing populations has proven the feasibility of its use in research. This multidimensional and standardized approach supports interoperability and re-use of data, which is needed to optimize the coordination of research efforts, increase generalizability of findings and ultimately address the challenges of ageing.

Polypharmacy, comorbidity and frailty: a complex interplay in older patients at the emergency department.

PURPOSE: Older adults at the emergency department (ED) with polypharmacy, comorbidity, and frailty are at risk of adverse health outcomes. We investigated the association of polypharmacy with adverse health outcomes, in relation to comorbidity and frailty. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study in ED patients ≥ 70 years. Non-polypharmacy was defined as 0-4 medications, polypharmacy 5-9 and excessive polypharmacy ≥ 10. Comorbidity was classified by the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Frailty was defined by the Identification of Seniors At Risk-Hospitalized Patients (ISAR-HP) score. The primary outcome was 3-month mortality. Secondary outcomes were readmission to an ED/hospital ward and a self-reported fall < 3 months. The association between polypharmacy, comorbidity and frailty was analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: 881 patients were included. 43% had polypharmacy and 18% had excessive polypharmacy. After 3 months, 9% died, 30% were readmitted, and 21% reported a fall. Compared with non-polypharmacy, the odds ratio (OR) for mortality ranged from 2.62 (95% CI 1.39-4.93) in patients with polypharmacy to 3.92 (95% CI 1.95-7.90) in excessive polypharmacy. The OR weakened after adjustment for comorbidity: 1.80 (95% CI 0.92-3.52) and 2.32 (95% CI 1.10-4.90). After adjusting for frailty, the OR weakened to 2.10 (95% CI 1.10-4.00) and OR 2.40 (95% CI 1.15-5.02). No significant association was found for readmission or self-reported fall. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy is common in older patients at the ED. Polypharmacy, and especially excessive polypharmacy, is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The observed association is complex given the confounding effect of comorbidity and frailty.

The Prognostic Accuracy of Clinical Judgment Versus a Validated Frailty Screening Instrument in Older Patients at the Emergency Department: Findings of the AmsterGEM Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the prognostic accuracy of clinical judgment for frailty in older patients at the emergency department with a validated screening instrument and patient-perceived frailty. METHODS: A prospective cohort study in patients 70 years of age and older in 2 Dutch EDs with a follow-up of 3 months. A dichotomous question was asked to the physician and patient: "Do you consider the patient / yourself to be frail?" The Identification of Seniors At Risk-Hospitalized Patients (ISAR-HP) was used as a validated screening instrument. The primary composite outcome consisted of either functional decline, institutionalization, or mortality. RESULTS: A total of 736 patients were included. The physician identified 59% as frail, compared with 49% by ISAR-HP and 43% by patients themselves. The level of agreement was fair (Fleiss Kappa, 0.31). After 3 months, 31% of the patients experienced at least 1 adverse health outcome. The sensitivity was 79% for the physician, 72% for ISAR-HP, 61% for the patient, and 48% for all 3 combined. The specificity was 50% for the physician, 63% for ISAR-HP, 66% for the patient, and 85% for all 3 positive. The highest positive likelihood ratio was 3.03 (physician, ISAR-HP, patient combined), and the lowest negative likelihood ratio was 0.42 (physician). The areas under the receiver operating curves were all poor: 0.68 at best for ISAR-HP. CONCLUSION: Clinical judgment for frailty showed fair agreement with a validated screening instrument and patient-perceived frailty. All 3 instruments have poor prognostic accuracy, which does not improve when combined. These findings illustrate the limited prognostic value of clinical judgment as a frailty screener in older patients at the ED.

Orthostatic hypotension and mortality risk in geriatric outpatients: the impact of duration and magnitude of the blood pressure drop.

INTRODUCTION: Orthostatic hypotension is a common condition associated with an increased mortality risk. This study investigates this association specifically in geriatric outpatients and additionally focuses on the duration and magnitude of orthostatic hypotension. METHODS: In this observational prospective cohort study with geriatric outpatients from the Amsterdam Ageing cohort, we differentiated orthostatic hypotension in early orthostatic hypotension (EOH) and delayed/prolonged orthostatic hypotension (DPOH). The magnitude of drop in both SBP and DBP after either 1 or 3 min was quantified. Mortality data was obtained from the Dutch municipal register. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the association between orthostatic hypotension and mortality, adjusted for sex and age (model 1), additionally adjusted for orthostatic hypotension-inducing drugs + SBP (model 2) and the presence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes (model 3). Stratified analyses in patients with geriatric deficits were performed. RESULTS: We included 1240 patients (mean age 79.4 ±â€Š6.9 years, 52.6% women). Prevalence of orthostatic hypotension was 443 (34.9%); 148 (11.9%) patients had EOH and 285 (23%) DPOH. DPOH was associated with a higher mortality risk [hazard ratio, 95% CI 1.69 (1.28-2.22)] whereas EOH was not associated with mortality risk. This association did not differ in patients with geriatric deficits. Furthermore, the magnitude of drop in both SBP and DBP was associated with a higher mortality risk. CONCLUSION: The presence of DPOH and the magnitude of both systolic and diastolic orthostatic hypotension are related to an increased mortality risk in geriatric outpatients. Whether the duration of orthostatic hypotension and magnitude of the drop in blood pressure is causally related to mortality risk or whether it is a sign of decreased resilience remains to be elucidated.

Slowing: A Vascular Geriatric Syndrome?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the interrelation between slowing in walking, thinking and mood, and their relationship with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in a geriatric population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 566 geriatric outpatients from the Amsterdam Aging Cohort (49% female; age 79 ±6 years), who visited the Amsterdam UMC geriatric outpatient memory clinic. METHODS: Patients underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment, brain imaging, and a neuropsychological assessment as part of medical care. Three slowing aspects were investigated: gait speed, processing speed, and apathy symptoms (higher scores indicating more advanced slowing). We visually rated CSVD [white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), strategic lacunes, and microbleeds] on brain imaging. RESULTS: Regression analyses showed that slowing in walking (gait speed) was associated with slowing in thinking [processing speed; ß = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22, 0.48] and slowing in mood (apathy symptoms; ß = 0.21, 95% CI 0.13, 0.30), independent of important confounders. Large confluent areas of WMH (Fazekas 3) were associated with all slowing aspects: gait speed (ß = 0.49, 95% CI 0.28, 0.71), processing speed (ß = 0.36, 95% CI 0.19, 0.52) and apathy symptoms (ß = 0.30, 95% CI 0.09, 0.51). In addition, in patients with more slowing aspects below predefined cutoffs, severe WMH was more common. Presence of ≥3 microbleeds was associated with apathy symptoms (ß = 0.39, 95% CI 0.12, 0.66), whereas lacunes were not associated with slowing. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study provides evidence that slowing in walking, thinking, and mood are closely related and associated with CSVD. This phenotype or geriatric syndrome could be helpful to identify and characterize patients with CSVD.

Determinants of instrumented sedentary and physical activity behavior in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients: RESORT.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity in hospitalized older adults is highly prevalent and associated with detrimental health outcomes. Understanding its determinants is important for prognosis and tailoring interventions in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients. METHODS: Within the REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) observational, longitudinal cohort, geriatric rehabilitation inpatients wore an inertial sensor (ActivPAL4) for one week to objectively assess instrumented sedentary behavior (i-SB) and physical activity (i-PA). Determinants were grouped in five geriatric domains: morbidity, cognition/psychology, physical performance, functional performance, and nutritional status. Their association with i-SB (mean sitting, lying, non-upright time) and i-PA (mean number of steps, sit-to-stand transitions and upright time) quintiles were examined using multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.006). RESULTS: A total of 145 inpatients were included (mean age 83.0, SD 7.7 years; 55.9% females). More comorbidities were associated with a lower daily number of steps (OR:0.91, 95%CI: 0.86-0.96) and lower upright time (OR:0.93, 95%CI: 0.88-0.98). Depressive symptoms (higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score) were associated with higher non-upright time (OR: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.03-1.21) and lower upright time (OR: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.83-0.96). Better physical performance (higher Functional Ambulation Classification, gait speed, and Short Physical Performance Battery score) was associated with lower i-SB measures (OR range: 0.07-0.78, p < 0.0005) and higher i-PA measures (OR range: 1.35-19.50, p < 0.0005). Higher functional performance (Katz index of Activities of Daily Living score) was associated with lower i-SB measures (OR range: 0.61-0.69, p ≤ 0.003) and higher i-PA measures (OR range: 1.60-3.64, p < 0.0005). Being malnourished was associated with lower i-PA measures (OR range: 0.29-0.32, p ≤ 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Worse morbidity, depressive symptoms, worse physical and functional performance, and worse nutritional status were associated with higher i-SB and lower i-PA. These determinants should be taken into account while designing and promoting multidisciplinary physical activity interventions.

The Accuracy of Four Frequently Used Frailty Instruments for the Prediction of Adverse Health Outcomes Among Older Adults at Two Dutch Emergency Departments: Findings of the AmsterGEM Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Older adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) are at high risk of adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 4 frequently used screening instruments for the prediction of adverse health outcomes among older adults in the ED. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in patients ≥70 years of age presenting to the ED in 2 hospitals in the Netherlands. Screening instruments included the acutely presenting older patient screening program (APOP) (providing 2 risk scores-functional decline [APOP1] and mortality [APOP2]), the International Resident Assessment Instrument Emergendy Department screener (InterRAI ED), the Identification of Seniors At Risk-Hospitalized Patients (ISAR-HP), and the safety management system (VMS). The primary outcome measure was a composite outcome encompassing functional decline, institutionalization, and mortality at 3 months after ED presentation. Other follow-up time points were 1 and 6 months. Analyses were performed to assess prognostic accuracy. RESULTS: In total, 889 patients were included. After 3 months, 267 (31%) patients experienced at least 1 adverse outcome. The positive likelihood ratio ranged from 1.67 (VMS) to 3.33 (APOP1), and the negative likelihood ratio ranged from 0.41 (ISAR-HP) to 0.88 (APOP2). Sensitivity ranged from 17% (APOP2) to 74% (ISAR-HP), and specificity ranged from 63% (ISAR-HP) to 94% (APOP2). The area under the curve ranged from 0.62 (APOP2) to 0.72 (APOP1 and ISAR-HP). Calibration was reasonable for APOP1 and VMS. The prognostic accuracy was comparable across all outcomes and at all follow-up time points. CONCLUSION: The frailty screening instruments assessed in this study showed poor to moderate prognostic accuracy, which brings into question their usability in the prediction of adverse health outcomes among older adults who present to the ED.

Geriatric Rehabilitation Inpatients Roam at Home! A Matched Cohort Study of Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Home-Based and Hospital-Based Settings.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in geriatric rehabilitation patients receiving care in the home-based compared to the hospital-based setting. DESIGN: Observational matched cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Home-based (patient's home) or hospital-based (ward) geriatric rehabilitation was delivered to inpatients within the REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) observational, longitudinal cohort of the Royal Melbourne Hospital (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). METHODS: Patients were asked to wear ActivPAL4 accelerometers for 1 week and were assessed by a comprehensive geriatric assessment at admission, discharge, and followed up after 3 months. Hospital-based patients were matched to home-based patients for sex and baseline physical function [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), activities (instrumental) of daily living, and Clinical Frailty Scale]. Differences in patient characteristics and physical activity (total, standing and walking durations, number of steps and sit-to stand transitions) and sedentary behavior (total, sitting and lying durations) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were included: 18 home-based [mean age: 81.9 ± 8.6 years, 38.9% female, median (interquartile range [IQR]) SPPB: 7.0 (5.0-9.0)] and 141 hospital-based [mean age: 82.9 ± 7.8 years, 57.4% female, median (IQR) SPPB: 1.0 (0.0-4.0)] patients, of whom 18 were matched [mean age: 80.1 ± 7.4 years, 38.9% female, median (IQR) SPPB: 6.5 (4.8-10.0)]. Median physical activity measures were consistently higher in home-based patients compared to the total group of hospital-based patients. After matching, physical activity measures remained >2.4 times higher and were significantly different for all measures (total physical activity, standing and walking durations, and steps) except for sit-to-stand transitions. Sedentary behaviors were similar with home-based patients spending non-significantly more time sitting but significantly less time lying than hospital-based patients (matched and total). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Home-based inpatients are more physically active than hospital-based inpatients independent of matching for sex and baseline physical function, which supports home-based geriatric rehabilitation.

Nutrient Intake and Muscle Measures in Geriatric Outpatients.

OBJECTIVE: Low muscle mass and muscle function are associated with adverse health outcomes in older adults. This study examined nutrient intake as a potential contributing factor for low muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle power in geriatric outpatients. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included geriatric outpatients (n = 58, 38 female) with a mean age of 77.2 ± 9.0 years referred to the Falls and Balance outpatient clinic between December 2017 and January 2019. Nutrient intake (macro- and micronutrients) was examined using a 3-day food diary. Energy-adjusted nutrient intake was calculated using the residual method. Sex-standardized muscle measures included muscle mass assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (skeletal muscle mass [SMM in kilograms], SMM index [SMM/height2 in kg/m2], and SMM/body mass index), handgrip strength (muscle strength) assessed using a dynamometer, and chair-stand test (muscle power). Univariate linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations of nutrient intake with muscle measures adjusted for age and body weight. A Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple testing (p < 0.001). RESULTS: Higher energy, iodine, and folate intake were associated with higher muscle mass, and higher folate intake was associated with higher muscle strength (p < 0.05). After Bonferroni correction, none of the nutrient intakes remained statistically significant. None of the other nutrients was associated with muscle measures. CONCLUSIONS: Only a few nutrients were associated with muscle measures. Nutrient intake appears to be more related to muscle mass than muscle strength and muscle power in geriatric outpatients.

A narrative review of frailty assessment in older patients at the emergency department.

Optimizing emergency care for the aging population is an important future challenge, as the proportion of older patients at the emergency department (ED) rapidly increases. Older patients, particularly those who are frail, have a high risk of adverse outcomes after an ED visit, such as functional decline, institutionalization, and death. The ED can have a key position in identifying frail older patients who benefit most from comprehensive geriatric care [including delirium preventive measures, early evaluation of after-discharge care, and a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)]. However, performing extensive frailty assessment is not suitable at the ED. Therefore, quick and easy-to-use instruments are needed to identify older patients at risk for adverse outcomes. This narrative review outlines the importance and complexity of frailty assessment at the ED. It aligns the available screening instruments, including clinical judgment as frailty assessment, and summarizes arguments for and against frailty assessment at the ED.

Managing older patients with heart failure calls for a holistic approach.

AIMS: This study aims to assess the presence of geriatric domain impairments in an older heart failure (HF) outpatient population and to relate these domain impairments with 1 year mortality risk in comparison with a geriatric outpatient population without HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were used from two different prospective cohort studies: 241 outpatients with HF (mean age 78 ± 9 years, 48% female) and 686 geriatric outpatients (mean age 80 ± 7 years, 55% female). We similarly assessed the following geriatric domains in both cohorts: physical function, nutritional status, polypharmacy, cognitive function, and activities in daily living. Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to relate individual domains to 1 year mortality risk in both populations and to compare 1 year mortality risk between both populations. Of the patients with HF, 34% had impairments in ≥3 domains, compared with 38% in geriatric patients. One-year mortality rates were 13% and 8%, respectively, in the HF and geriatric populations; age-adjusted and sex-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for patients with HF compared with geriatric patients was 1.7 (1.3-2.6). The individual geriatric domains were similarly associated with 1 year mortality risk in both populations. Compared with zero to two impaired domains, age-adjusted and sex-adjusted mortality risk (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval) for three, four, or five impaired domains ranged from 1.6 (0.6-4.2) to 6.5 (2.1-20.1) in the HF population and from 1.4 (0.7-2.9) to 7.9 (2.9-21.3) in the geriatric population. CONCLUSIONS: In parallel with geriatric patients, patients with HF often have multiple geriatric domain impairments that adversely affect their prognosis. This similarity together with the findings that patients with HF have a higher 1 year mortality risk than a general geriatric population supports the integration of a multi-domain geriatric assessment in outpatient HF care.

Robustness of In-Laboratory and Daily-Life Gait Speed Measures over One Year in High Functioning 61- to 70-Year-Old Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Gait speed is a simple and safe measure with strong predictive value for negative health outcomes in clinical practice, yet in-laboratory gait speed seems not representative for daily-life gait speed. This study aimed to investigate the interrelation between and robustness of in-laboratory and daily-life gait speed measures over 12 months in 61- to 70-year-old adults. METHODS: Gait speed was assessed in laboratory through standardized stopwatch tests and in daily life by 7 days of trunk accelerometry in the PreventIT cohort, at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months. The interrelation was investigated using Pearson's correlations between gait speed measures at each time point. For robustness, changes over time and variance components were assessed by ANOVA and measurement agreement over time by Bland-Altman analyses. RESULTS: Included were 189 participants (median age 67 years [interquartile range: 64-68], 52.2% females). In-laboratory and daily-life gait speed measures showed low correlations (Pearson's r = 0.045-0.455) at each time point. Moreover, both in-laboratory and daily-life gait speed measures appeared robust over time, with comparable and smaller within-subject than between-subject variance (range 0.001-0.095 m/s and 0.032-0.397 m/s, respectively) and minimal differences between measurements over time (Bland-Altman) with wide limits of agreement (standard deviation of mean difference range: 0.12-0.34 m/s). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: In-laboratory and daily-life gait speed measures show robust assessments of gait speed over 12 months and are distinct constructs in this population of high-functioning adults. This suggests that (a combination of) both measures may have added value in predicting health outcomes.

The association of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior with skeletal muscle strength and muscle power in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Engaging in physical activity (PA) and avoiding sedentary behavior (SB) are important for healthy ageing with benefits including the mitigation of disability and mortality. Whether benefits extend to key determinants of disability and mortality, namely muscle strength and muscle power, is unclear. AIMS: This systematic review aimed to describe the association of objective measures of PA and SB with measures of skeletal muscle strength and muscle power in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Six databases were searched from their inception to June 21st, 2020 for articles reporting associations between objectively measured PA and SB and upper body or lower body muscle strength or muscle power in community dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. An overview of associations was visualized by effect direction heat maps, standardized effect sizes were estimated with albatross plots and summarized in box plots. Articles reporting adjusted standardized regression coefficients (ß) were included in meta-analyses. RESULTS: A total of 112 articles were included representing 43,796 individuals (range: 21 to 3726 per article) with a mean or median age from 61.0 to 88.0 years (mean 56.4 % female). Higher PA measures and lower SB were associated with better upper body muscle strength (hand grip strength), upper body muscle power (arm curl), lower body muscle strength, and lower body muscle power (chair stand test). Median standardized effect sizes were consistently larger for measures of PA and SB with lower compared to upper body muscle strength and muscle power. The meta-analyses of adjusted ß coefficients confirmed the associations between total PA (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and light PA (LPA) with hand grip strength (ß = 0.041, ß = 0.057, and ß = 0.070, respectively, all p ≤ 0.001), and TPA and MVPA with chair stand test (ß = 0.199 and ß = 0.211, respectively, all p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher PA and lower SB are associated with greater skeletal muscle strength and muscle power, particularly with the chair stand test.

Mortality Risk and Its Association with Geriatric Domain Deficits in Older Outpatients: The Amsterdam Ageing Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: In older patients, life expectancy is determined by a complex interaction of multiple geriatric domains. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) captures different geriatric domains. Yet, if and how components of the CGA are related to mortality in an outpatient geriatric setting is unknown. In the Amsterdam Ageing Cohort, we therefore studied distribution and accumulation of geriatric domain deficits in relation to mortality. METHODS: All patients received a CGA as part of standard care, independent of referral reason. We summarized deficits on the CGA, using predefined cutoffs, in 5 geriatric domains: somatic, mental, nutritional, physical, and social domain. Information on mortality was obtained from the Dutch municipal register. We used age- and sex-adjusted Cox proportional hazards analyses to relate the separate domains and accumulation of impaired domains to overall mortality. RESULTS: From the 1,055 geriatric outpatients (53% female; age 79 ± 7 years), 172 patients (16%) had died after 1.7 ± 1.1 years. In 626 patients (59%), 3 or more domains were impaired. All domains were independently associated with mortality, with the highest hazard for the somatic domain (HR 3.7 [1.7-8.0]) and the lowest hazard for the mental domain (HR 1.5 [1.1-12.0]). In addition, accumulation of impaired domains showed a gradually increased mortality risk, ranging from HR 2.2 (0.8-6.1) for 2 domains to HR 9.6 (3.7-24.7) for all 5 domains impaired. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that impairment in multiple geriatric domains is highly prevalent and independently and cumulatively associated with mortality in an outpatient geriatric setting.

Inadequate energy and protein intake in geriatric outpatients with mobility problems.

To individualize nutritional interventions for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition and sarcopenia, it is required to understand the nutritional needs of older adults. This study explores the nutritional needs of geriatric outpatients. We hypothesized that inadequate energy and protein intake is common in geriatric outpatients. Data were retrieved from 2 cohort studies encompassing community-dwelling older adults referred to geriatric outpatient mobility clinics in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Melbourne, Australia. Indirect calorimetry and a food diary, respectively, were used to assess resting metabolic rate (RMR) and energy and protein intake. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was calculated by the RMR multiplied by an activity factor of 1.4. An energy deficit was defined as a relative difference >10% between TEE and energy intake. A protein deficit was defined as protein intake <1.2 g/kg body weight per day. Bland-Altman analysis assessed the agreement between energy and protein requirements versus intake at an individual level. Seventy-four outpatients were included (25 males, median age 78.9 [IQR: 72.8-86.1] years). The mean difference between TEE and energy intake was 292 (SD 481) kcal/d. An energy deficit was present in 46 outpatients. The median protein intake was 1.00 (IQR: 0.87-1.19) g/kg body weight per day and a protein deficit was present in 57 outpatients. There was a low agreement between energy and protein requirements versus intake at an individual level. In conclusion, over half of the outpatients had energy and/or protein deficits. Integrating dietetic services at geriatric outpatient mobility clinics could potentially improve nutrition- and muscle-related outcomes in a multidisciplinary approach.

Clinical determinants of resting metabolic rate in geriatric outpatients.

PURPOSE: Accurate estimation of the energy requirements including resting metabolic rate (RMR) is important for optimal nutritional care, yet its clinical determinants are unknown. This study examined the associations between clinical determinants of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) domains with RMR among geriatric outpatients. MATERIALS & METHODS: Data were retrieved from cohorts of community-dwelling older adults (n = 84, 54 female) referring to geriatrics outpatient mobility clinics in both Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Melbourne, Australia. Determinants within domains of the CGA included diseases (number, type and severity of diseases, polypharmacy), nutrition (body weight, body mass index, absolute and relative skeletal muscle mass, fat-free mass and fat mass, risk of malnutrition), physical function (handgrip strength, Short Physical Performance Battery, Timed Up & Go), cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination), psychological wellbeing (Geriatric Depression Scale) and blood pressure. RMR was objectively measured using indirect calorimetry with a canopy hood. Association between the clinical determinants with standardized RMR (country and sex-specific z-score) were analysed with linear regression adjusted for age, sex and body weight. RESULTS: Determinants within the nutritional domain were associated with RMR; body weight showed the strongest association with RMR. Significant associations between determinants within the nutritional domain with RMR disappeared after further adjustment for body weight. None of the other domains were associated with RMR. CONCLUSIONS: Body weight is the strongest clinical determinant of RMR and should be taken into account when estimating RMR in geriatric care.