Differential effects of lifestyle activities on disability incidence based on neighborhood amenities.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of neighborhood amenities on disability risk among community-dwelling older adults in Japan, based on lifestyle activities. METHOD: This was an observational prospective cohort study. Participants comprised 13,258 older adults from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes. We calculated participants' Walk Score using their home addresses and divided them into three groups: "car-dependent," "somewhat walkable," and "very walkable." We then calculated the average value of lifestyle activities. We divided the neighborhood amenity groups into two groups, "fewer lifestyle activities" and "more lifestyle activities," for a total of six groups. After identifying interactions between neighborhood amenities and lifestyle activities, Cox proportional hazard models to calculate hazard ratios for incident disability risk, based on neighborhood amenities and lifestyle activities. RESULTS: An interaction occurred between neighborhood amenities and lifestyle activities (p < 0.05). Survival probabilities for incident disability based on lifestyle activities were estimated for each neighborhood amenity group: car-dependent, 1.62 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.46); somewhat walkable, 1.08 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.40); and very walkable, 1.05 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.27). Those with fewer lifestyle activities in the car-dependent group exhibited the highest risk of incident disability in the unadjusted and adjusted models. CONCLUSION: Given that the aging population is increasing steadily, considering older adults' neighborhood amenities and lifestyle activities in their day-to-day lives can help clinicians to deliver more older adult-centered care. Incorporating the lifestyle activities and neighborhood amenities of older adults into care planning will lead to the design and development of integrated clinical and community screening programs.

The association between social activity and physical frailty among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Physical frailty is associated with social activity. However, the relationship between physical frailty and levels of engagement with other people during social activities remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to clarify the relationship between physical frailty and social activity using a taxonomy of activity levels among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study analyzed data from 12,788 older adults (7001 women, mean age: 73.8 years, standard deviation = 5.9; range: 60-96 years) from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes. Physical frailty was assessed using the following components: slow walking speed, muscle weakness, exhaustion, low activity, and weight loss. We asked participants about seven social activities that included social participation and engagement and examined their relationship to physical frailty. RESULTS: Physical frailty was independently associated with all social activities. Exercise circle activity, which includes a level of social participation, was strongly associated with physical pre-frailty and physical frailty. Results of sub-analyses indicated that the level of social engagement was independently associated with physical frailty in the older group (over 75 years) but not in the younger group (60-74 years). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the strength of the association between social activity and physical frailty differs by the level of social participation. Given the increasingly high prevalence of physical frailty in Japan and its strong association with numerous adverse health outcomes, the relationship between physical frailty and levels of social participation may assist in developing measures to prevent the incidence and progression of physical frailty.

Isotemporal Substitution of Sedentary Behavior With Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Risk of Disability: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to estimate, using an isotemporal substitution model, the effect of replacing sedentary behavior (SB) with physical activity on the incidence of disability in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This 2-year longitudinal cohort study enrolled 3691 community-dwelling older adults (57.2% women; mean age = 74.0 [SD = 5.0] years). Individuals with dementia, stroke, Parkinson disease, depression, low Mini-Mental State Examination scores, dependence on basic activities of daily living, and missing data were excluded. Physical activity and potential confounding factors were investigated as a baseline survey of disability incidence, defined by Japanese long-term care insurance certification, for 2 years in 2 regions. Physical activity data (SB, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity [MVPA]) were measured using triaxial accelerometers for 14 days, and daily mean time spent in each physical activity parameter was computed in increments of 10 minutes. The relationship between baseline physical activity and disability incidence adjusted for potential confounders was analyzed using multilevel Cox proportional hazards regression analyses with an isotemporal substitution model. RESULTS: The disability incidence rate was 3.8%, excluding individuals who could not be followed-up. Replacing 10 minutes of SB per day with MVPA was associated with a decreased disability incidence (hazard ratio = 0.870; 95% CI = 0.766-0.988), whereas no evidence was found for replacing SB with light-intensity physical activity (hazard ratio = 0.980; 95% CI = 0.873-1.10). CONCLUSIONS: Replacing SB with MVPA was associated with a lower risk of disability. These findings are helpful for establishing disability prevention strategies. IMPACT: These results suggest that feasible changes in daily behavior, such as replacing 10 minutes of SB with MVPA daily, might have a protective effect on disability incidence. Clarifying these associations is useful for developing disability prevention strategies and may help reduce the incidence of disability in community-dwelling older adults.

Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessed in Old Age Predicts Disability and Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background Evidence is limited on the predictive validity of absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, estimated by multivariable assessments in old age, for disability and mortality. We aimed to examine the longitudinal associations of absolute CVD risk assessed using region-specific risk estimation charts with disability and mortality among community-dwelling people aged ≥65 years. Methods and Results This retrospective cohort study included 7456 community-dwelling people aged ≥65 years (mean age, 73.7 years) without CVD and functional decline at baseline. They lived in either Obu City or Midori Ward of Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. We estimated absolute CVD risk using the revised World Health Organization CVD risk estimation charts and stratified risk levels into 3 categories: low (<10%), mid (10% to <20%), and high (≥20%). We followed up the functional disability incidence and all-cause mortality monthly for 5 years. The prevalence of each CVD risk level based on the laboratory-based model was as follows: low CVD risk, 1096 (14.7%); mid CVD risk, 5510 (73.9%); and high CVD risk, 850 (11.4%). During follow-up, the incidence rates of disability and mortality were 33.4 per 1000 and 12.4 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that the adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) for disability incidence were 1.32 (1.13-1.56) and 1.44 (1.18-1.77) in mid and high CVD risk levels, respectively (reference: low CVD risk level); for mortality incidence, they were 1.53 (1.16-2.01) and 2.02 (1.45-2.80) in mid and high CVD risk levels, respectively (reference: low CVD risk level). Conclusions Absolute CVD risk was associated with both disability and mortality in people aged ≥65 years. Estimated CVD risk levels may be useful surrogate markers for disability and mortality risks even when assessed in old age.

Difference in sarcopenia characteristics associated with physical activity and disability incidences in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Deteriorated skeletal muscle condition, including sarcopenia, is a risk factor for disability in older adults. Promoting physical activity is a useful treatment for sarcopenia. However, optimal intensity of physical activity according to sarcopenia characteristics is unclear. METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study enrolled 2149 community-dwelling older adults (women 55.7%, mean age: 75.5 ± 4.0 years). Five-year disability incidence defined by Japanese long-term care insurance certification and accelerometer-measured physical activities (light-intensity physical activity [LPA] and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity [MVPA]), which were adjusted for potential confounders, was analysed using cox-proportional hazard model stratified by sarcopenia characteristics based on the diagnostic algorithm by the Asian working group for sarcopenia (robust, low physical function, low muscle mass, and sarcopenia). The sarcopenia group was defined as low muscle mass and low physical function (weakness and/or slowness). The low muscle mass and low physical function groups were each defined by these characteristics alone. Muscle mass was analysed via bioelectrical impedance analysis. Each intensity of physical activity times was divided by median values. RESULTS: The disability incidence rate was 15.4%, excluding those who could not be followed up. Mean LPA times were 43.8 ± 18.0, 45.6 ± 17.5, 45.4 ± 16.6, 40.8 ± 18.6, and 41.4 ± 18.5 min/day and MVPA times were 24.6 ± 17.6, 26.3 ± 18.3, 27.2 ± 17.3, 21.6 ± 16.3, and 21.5 ± 16.4 min/day in all participants, the robust, low muscle mass, low physical function, and sarcopenia groups, respectively. For all participants, higher MVPA was associated with disability incidence [hazard ratios (HR), 0.63; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.49-0.81; P < 0.001], whereas higher LPA showed no association (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.68-1.10; P = 0.22). Higher LPA was associated in the sarcopenia group (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15-0.85; P = 0.019), and MVPA was associated in the robust (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39-0.87; P = 0.008) and low physical function (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98; P = 0.040) groups. Both LPA and MVPA showed no association in the low muscle mass group. The P values for interactions between sarcopenia characteristics and physical activity were 0.017 for LPA and 0.014 for MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: The LPA was associated with a lower risk of disability in older adults with sarcopenia, whereas MVPA was associated in subjects with robust and low physical function. Our findings indicate a need for individualized approaches to prevent disability based on muscle condition.

Development and validation of new screening tool for predicting dementia risk in community-dwelling older Japanese adults.

BACKGROUND: Established clinical assessments for detecting dementia risk often require time, cost, and face-to-face meetings. We aimed to develop a Simplified Telephone Assessment for Dementia risk (STAD) (a new screening tool utilizing telephonic interviews to predict dementia risk) and examine the predictive validity of the STAD for the incidence of dementia. METHODS: We developed STAD based on a combination of literature review, statistical analysis, and expert opinion. We selected 12 binary questions on subjective cognitive complaints, depressive symptoms, and lifestyle activities. In the validation study, we used STAD for 4298 community-dwelling older adults and observed the incidence of dementia during the 24-month follow-up period. The total score of STAD ranging from 0 to 12 was calculated, and the cut-off point for dementia incidence was determined using the Youden index. The survival rate of dementia incidence according to the cut-off points was determined. Furthermore, we used a decision-tree model (classification and regression tree, CART) to enhance the predictive ability of STAD for dementia risk screening. RESULTS: The cut-off point of STAD was set at 4/5. Participants scoring ≥ 5 points showed a significantly higher risk of dementia than those scoring ≤ 4 points, even after adjusting for covariates (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.67 [1.40-5.08]). A decision tree model using the CART algorithm was constructed using 12 nodes with three STAD items. It showed better performance for dementia prediction in terms of accuracy and specificity as compared to the logistic regression model, although its sensitivity was worse than the logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a 12-item questionnaire, STAD, as a screening tool to predict dementia risk utilizing telephonic interviews and confirmed its predictive validity. Our findings might provide useful information for early screening of dementia risk and enable bridging between community and clinical settings. Additionally, STAD could be employed without face-to-face meetings in a short time; therefore, it may be a suitable screening tool for community-dwelling older adults who have negative attitudes toward clinical examination or are non-adherent to follow-up assessments in clinical trials.

Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk Is Associated With the Incidence of Non-amnestic Cognitive Impairment in Japanese Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: The estimated absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk level is known to be a useful surrogate marker for future cognitive impairment; however, evidence regarding its predictive validity in terms of cognitive subtypes is limited. We aimed to examine subtype-dependent differences in the associations between absolute CVD risk and the incidence of cognitive impairment in a community-dwelling older Japanese cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study comprised 1,641 cognitively intact older Japanese participants without CVDs at baseline. We estimated absolute CVD risk using WHO region-specific risk estimation charts and included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, smoking, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol at baseline, and the CVD risk level was stratified into the three following risk categories: low (<10%), moderate (10 to <20%), and high (≥20%). Objective cognitive screening was performed using a multicomponent neurocognitive test at baseline and follow-up, and the incidence of cognitive impairment over 48 ± 2 months was determined. The incidence of cognitive impairment in low-, moderate-, and high-CVD risk participants was 1.2, 3.0, and 5.4%, respectively, for amnestic subtypes and 5.8, 10.1, and 14.0%, respectively, for non-amnestic subtypes. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the absolute CVD risk level was significantly associated with non-amnestic impairment but not with amnestic impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The absolute CVD risk estimated using region-specific risk estimation charts in old age is useful to predict incidence of cognitive impairment. Strategies to screen populations at risk of cognitive impairment and to prevent progression to dementia should be cognitive subtype-specific.

Life Satisfaction and the Relationship between Mild Cognitive Impairment and Disability Incidence: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study.

The relationship between the incidence of disability and cognitive function has been clarified, but whether life satisfaction is related to this relationship is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify whether life satisfaction is related to the relationship between the incidence of disability and mild cognitive impairment. We included 2563 older adults from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes. Baseline measurements included cognitive, life satisfaction, and demographic characteristics. Life satisfaction was measured using the Life Satisfaction Scale, which was stratified into three levels based on the score: lower, moderate, and higher. Associations between disability incidence and mild cognitive impairment were examined for each group according to life satisfaction, and monthly assessment for disability was monitored through long-term care insurance certification for at least 2 years from the baseline. At a 35.5-month mean follow-up, 150 participants had developed a disability. The potential confounding factors adjusted hazard for incidence of disability in the group with lower life satisfaction was 1.88 (CI: 1.05-3.35; p = 0.034) for mild cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment was associated with disability incidence, and the effect was more pronounced among older adults with lower life satisfaction.

Diabetes and Prediabetes Inhibit Reversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Normal Cognition.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes and prediabetes contribute to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Currently, it remains unclear whether elevated blood HbA1c levels, including prediabetes levels, affect reversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to normal cognition. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the prospective associations of diabetes and prediabetes with reversion from MCI to normal cognition among community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study with a 4-year follow-up. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older adults with MCI, aged ≥65 years at baseline (n = 787). METHODS: Participants' medical history of diabetes and blood HbA1c levels at baseline were assessed, and they were classified as control, prediabetes, and diabetes. Objective cognitive screening was performed using a multicomponent neurocognitive test at baseline and follow-up. Reversion from MCI to normal cognition over 4 years was determined. In the longitudinal analysis, we performed multiple imputations to adjust for a selection bias and loss of information. RESULTS: The reversion rates of MCI in the control, prediabetes, and diabetes groups were 63.4%, 55.6%, and 42.9%, respectively, in the completed follow-up dataset, and 54.6%, 47.2%, and 34.1%, respectively, in the imputed dataset. Multivariate logistic regression showed that diabetes decreases the probability of MCI reversion both before and after multiple imputations [odds ratio (OR) 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.74 for before imputation, OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.19-0.72 for after imputation]. Furthermore, prediabetes also showed significantly decreased probabilities of MCI reversion both before and after multiple imputations (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.34-0.94 for before imputation, OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.37-0.97 for after imputation). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Diabetes and prediabetes could inhibit MCI reversion. Adequate glycemic control may be effective in enhancing the reversion from MCI to normal cognition in a community setting.

Participation in Social Activities and Relationship between Walking Habits and Disability Incidence.

Identifying the relationship between physical and social activity and disability among community-dwelling older adults may provide important information for implementing tailored interventions to prevent disability progression. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the number of social activities on the relationship between walking habits and disability incidence in older adults. We included 2873 older adults (mean age, 73.1 years; SD, ±5.9 years) from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes. Baseline measurements, including frequencies of physical and social activities, health conditions, physical function, cognitive function, metabolic parameters, and other potential disability risk factors (for example, the number of years of education); monthly assessment for disability was monitored through long-term care insurance certification for at least 2 years from baseline. During a mean follow-up of 35.1 months (SD, 6.4 months), 133 participants developed disability. The disability incidence was 19.0 and 27.9 per 1000 person-years for participants who walked more (≥3 times per week) and less (≤3 times per week) frequently, respectively. The potential confounding factor-adjusted disability hazard ratio was 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 0.96; p = 0.030). The relationship between habitual walking and the number of social activities was statistically significant (p = 0.004). The reduction of disability risk by walking was greater among participants with fewer social activities. Habitual walking was associated with disability incidence, with a more pronounced effect among older adults who were less likely to engage in social activities.

Lifestyle changes and outcomes of older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A 4-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal studies have shown that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) reverts to normal cognition (NC). However, we could not find any reports on the examination of changes in lifestyle activity patterns in older adults diagnosed with MCI and their outcomes, in a longitudinal study. We determined the changes in lifestyle activity patterns among older adults with MCI. METHODS: The participants in this study were 769 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years with MCI at baseline. Four years later, participants were categorized into reverters, maintainers, and converters who reverted from MCI to NC, maintained MCI, and had global cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease, respectively. We used latent class analysis to classify changes in instrumental activities of daily living, and in cognitive, social, and productive activities of the participants. Subsequently, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed with reversion status and class membership as the dependent and independent variables, respectively. RESULTS: The reversion rate of 769 participants was 33.3%. The reverters maintained multidomain lifestyle activities, converters discontinued multidomain lifestyle activities or were inactive, and maintainers maintained productive activities. According to the logistic regression analysis, the activity patterns of those who continued to engage in multidomain lifestyle activities and start activities, were more likely to help in reverting from MCI to NC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Community-dwelling older adults with MCI who continued their multidomain lifestyle activities were more likely to revert to NC. Even if it does not revert to NC, continuing productive activities is important to maintaining MCI without converting.

Visceral fat accumulation is associated with risk of diabetes in community-dwelling Japanese older adults.

AIM: The prevalence of diabetes generally increases with age, and older adults with diabetes are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Visceral fat accumulation is a well-known risk factor for diabetes in middle-aged adults, and its association with diabetes increases with age. The present study investigated the association between visceral fat and risk of diabetes in older adults that is yet to be completely elucidated. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 2850 community-dwelling older adults. Participants underwent abdominal bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate the visceral fat area (VFA). The risk of diabetes was assessed using the value of hemoglobin A1c according to the diagnostic criteria of diabetes. We examined the relationship of VFA and risk of diabetes, and explored the optimal cut-off value stratified by sex. RESULTS: In total, 47 of 1640 (2.9%) women and 41 of 1210 (3.4%) men had a high risk of diabetes. Higher values of VFA in units of 10 cm2 were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes for both women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.17; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.02-1.34) and men (aOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06-1.31) in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The cut-off value to classify 30% of subjects into high VFA (72 cm2 ) had a relatively higher sensitivity of 0.660 and was significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes for women (aOR: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.54-8.12), whereas all cut-off values we examined had no relation in men. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in VFA is associated with a high risk of diabetes in older adults but the optimal cut-off value is inconclusive in men. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; ••: ••-••.

Prospective Associations of Physical Frailty With Future Falls and Fear of Falling: A 48-Month Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine the prospective associations of physical frailty with future falls and fear of falling (FOF) among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with a 48-month follow-up was conducted in a Japanese community. Participants were 2469 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older who completed baseline and follow-up assessments at intervals of 48 ± 2 months. Primary outcomes were recent falls (defined as at least one fall within the past year) and FOF (determined by response to "Are you afraid of falling?") at follow-up survey. Physical frailty, operationalized by the frailty phenotype (slowness, weakness, exhaustion, weight loss, and low activity) based on the criteria of the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (J-CHS), was also assessed as a predictor of future falls and FOF. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression showed that prefrailty or frailty increase the risk of not only future falls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.57; 95% CI = 1.20-2.05) but also FOF (OR: 1.33; 95%CI = 1.05-1.69). In addition, the relationship between baseline frailty status and future falls remained significant after adjusting for baseline FOF (OR: 1.55; 95% CI = 1.19-2.02), and the relationship between baseline frailty status and future FOF also remained significant after adjusting for baseline falls (OR: 1.32; 95% CI = 1.04-1.68). CONCLUSIONS: Frailty status may predict future falls and FOF among community-dwelling older adults. Strategies to prevent frailty may be beneficial to prevent not only future falls but also future FOF in a community setting. IMPACT: Falls and FOF have a close relationship but a different clinical meaning. Older adults with physical frailty may require monitoring as high risk not only for falls but also for FOF.

Lifestyle Activity Patterns Related to Physical Frailty and Cognitive Impairment in Urban Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Investigating the lifestyle activity patterns of urban community-dwelling Japanese older adults, focusing on physical frailty and cognitive impairment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants comprised 8003 older adults (4489 women; mean age: 72.5 years, SD = ±6.1, range 60-95 years) from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Study of Geriatric Syndromes. METHODS: Participants reported on their lifestyle activity status, including using public transport, grocery shopping, light exercise, gardening, money management, meeting friends, participating in events, and travel. Several potential confounding variables, such as demographic characteristics, were considered. We assessed their lifestyle activity patterns using a latent class analysis and defined physical frailty by either slow walking speed or poor grip strength. Cognitive impairment was defined by participants exhibiting more than 1 of the following symptoms: poor word list memory, poor attention, reduced executive function, and low processing speed test scores. We also examined the relationship between their lifestyle activity patterns and physical frailty and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of robustness, physical frailty, cognitive impairment, and frailty and cognitive impairment was 54.6%, 21.4%, 13.3%, and 10.7%, respectively. We defined 4 classes using latent class analysis: greater engagement in multidomain activities, lower engagement in going-out activities, lower engagement in cognitive and physical activities, and lower engagement in multidomain activities. Moreover, physical frailty and cognitive impairment were independently associated with lower engagement in going-out activity, lower engagement in cognitive and physical activities, and lower engagement in multidomain activities, after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Considering an older adult's lifestyle activity patterns in their day-to-day practice, clinicians can deliver more older adult-centered care, which in turn might lead to better outcomes in the primary prevention of disease.

A New Social Network Scale for Detecting Depressive Symptoms in Older Japanese Adults.

Social engagement and networking deter depression among older adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults are especially at risk of isolation from face-to-face and non-face-to-face interactions. We developed the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Social Network Scale (NCGG-SNS) to assess frequency of, and satisfaction with, social interactions. The NCGG-SNS consists of four domains: face-to-face/non-face-to-face interactions with family/friends. Each domain score is obtained by multiplying frequency ratings by satisfaction ratings for each item; all scores were summed to obtain a total NCGG-SNS score (range: 0-64). Additionally, face-to-face and non-face-to-face subscores were calculated. Higher scores indicated satisfactory social networking. A cohort of 2445 older Japanese adults completed the NCGG-SNS and the Geriatrics Depression Scale-Short form. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis and logistic regression determined predictive validity for depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were reported by 284 participants (11.6%). The optimal NCGG-SNS cut-off value to identify depressive symptoms was 26.5 points. In logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders, lower NCGG-SNS values were significantly associated with greater prevalence of depressive symptoms. Face-to-face and non-face-to-face subscores were associated with depressive symptoms. The NCGG-SNS is a valid and useful indicator of multidimensional social networking enabling identification of depressive symptoms in older adults.

The Association between Neighborhood Amenities and Cognitive Function: Role of Lifestyle Activities.

Many of the modifiable risk factors for dementia are lifestyle-related, and multidomain interventions tailored to individual lifestyles are recommended to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. However, studies of the relationship between the environment and cognitive function have shown that cognitive disorders and dementia are more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of lifestyle activities on the association between neighborhood amenities and cognitive function. Our data were measured between August 2011 and February 2012. Participants comprised 3786 older adults (mean age: 71.5 years, standard deviation (SD) = ±5.2). We categorized neighborhood amenities as institutional resources that promote cognitively beneficial activities such as physical activity. We calculated the Walk Score® for all participants using their home address and divided them into three groups. We assessed their 12 lifestyle activities performed outdoors. Cognitive function was measured via Mini-Mental Status Exam, word list memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed. We found that participants who were more likely to report many lifestyle activities were more likely to have normal cognition, even in areas where neighborhood amenities were scarce. The clinical significance of this study is that increased lifestyle activity contributes to the prevention of cognitive decline.

Combined Effects of Pain Interference and Depressive Symptoms on Dementia Incidence: A 36-Month Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Both pain interference and depressive symptoms have certain effects on dementia, and these are reciprocally related. However, comorbid effects of pain interference and depressive symptoms on dementia have not been examined in detail. OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal study aimed to examine the combined effects of pain interference and depressive symptoms on the incidence of dementia in community-dwelling elderly individuals. METHODS: This prospective cohort study with a 36-month follow-up period included 4,326 community-dwelling elderly individuals without dementia at baseline. Pain interference and depressive symptoms were assessed for every participant at baseline. We collected medical records in the Japanese public health insurance system to identify the incidence of dementia for 36 months. RESULTS: The incidence rates of dementia during the follow-up period in the control, pain-interference, depressive-symptoms, and comorbid group were 3.2%, 6.2%, 7.9%, and 11.3%, respectively. A Cox regression analysis showed that the hazard ratios for the incidence of dementia were 1.85 (95% CI: 1.13-3.03) in the pain interference group, 1.87 (95% CI: 1.27-2.76) in the depressive symptoms group, and 2.20 (95% CI: 1.26-3.84) in the comorbid group, after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSION: The coexistence of pain interference and depressive symptoms had a greater effect on the incidence of dementia than either condition alone in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Pain interference and depressive symptoms are known as common comorbid conditions and often form a negative cycle that accelerates the worsening of the individual symptoms of both. Thus, the comorbidity of these conditions may require monitoring for the prevention of dementia.

Engagement in Lifestyle Activities is Associated with Increased Alzheimer's Disease-Associated Cortical Thickness and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between lifestyle activities, including physical, cognitive, and social activities, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) signature cortical thickness, as well as to examine the mediating role of AD signature cortical thickness in lifestyle activities and cognitive function in community-dwelling healthy older adults. Participants were 1026 older adults who met the study inclusion criteria. The physical, cognitive, and social activities of daily life were assessed using a self-reporting questionnaire. AD signature cortical thickness was determined using FreeSurfer software. Cognitive function was evaluated using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Functional Assessment Tool. Path analysis (based on structural equation modeling (SEM)) of cognitive activities indicated that the direct path from cognitive activities to cognitive function was significant (p < 0.001), as was the direct path from AD signature cortical thickness to cognitive function (p < 0.001). Physical (p < 0.05) or social activities (p < 0.05) had a direct effect on cognitive function. However, AD signature cortical thickness did not mediate the relationship between physical or social activities and cognitive function. Our findings suggest that higher levels of cognitive activities later in life have a significant and positive direct effect on cognitive function. Additionally, AD signature cortical thickness significantly mediates the relationship between cognitive activities and cognitive function.

Modifiable Risk Factor Possession Patterns of Dementia in Elderly with MCI: A 4-Year Repeated Measures Study.

This study clarified the patterns of possessing modifiable risk factors of dementia that can be corrected by the elderly who were primarily determined to have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and then determined the relationship between retention patterns and outcomes from MCI through a 4-year follow-up study. The participants were 789 community-dwelling elders who were ≥65 years old with MCI at baseline. After 4 years, participants were classified into reverters and nonreverters, according to their cognitive function. Repeated measures analysis was performed after imputing missing values due to dropout. Nine modifiable risk factors at baseline were classified by latent class analysis. Subsequently, we performed binomial logistic regression analysis. The reversion rate of 789 participants was 30.9%. The possession patterns of modifiable risk factors among the elderly with MCI were classified into five patterns: low risk, psychosocial, health behavior, educational, and smoking factors. According to logistic regression analysis, the low risk factors class was more likely to recover from MCI to normal cognitive than the other classes (p < 0.05). These results may provide useful information for designing interventions to prevent cognitive decline and dementia in individuals with MCI.

Predictive Validity of a New Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale for Detecting the Incidence of Functional Disability among Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

We examined the predictive validity of a newly developed scale-the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Activities of Daily Living (NCGG-ADL)-to measure instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) ability. We tested the scale for detecting new incidences of functional disability among community-dwelling older Japanese adults. Participants were 2708 older adults (mean age = 79.0 years, 51.6% women) living in the community who had no functional decline at baseline. We assessed IADL ability using the NCGG-ADL scale, comprising 13 self-report questions. Next, we assessed their functional disability monthly for 24 months, based on the national long-term care insurance (LTCI) system. Among all participants, 430 (15.9%) had an IADL limitation at baseline, and 289 (10.7%) were newly certified as functionally disabled. Participants scoring ≤ 12 of 13 points in the NCGG-ADL showed a significantly higher risk of functional disability than did those scoring 13 points, even after adjusting for covariates (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.58 [1.19-2.09]). We thus validated the NCGG-ADL as a screening tool for assessing the risk of functional disability among community-dwelling older Japanese adults. We conclude that IADL limitations, as measured by the NCGG-ADL, could be useful predictors of functional disability.