The A-to-Z factors associated with cognitive impairment. Results of the DeCo study.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment (CI) is known to be mediated by several risk and protective factors, many of which are potentially modifiable. Therefore, it is important to have up-to-date studies that address a standard assessment of psychosocial, clinical and lifestyle variables. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study, with a 24-month timeframe, to estimate the relationship between risk and protective factors associated with dementia, according to the A-to-Z Dementia Knowledge. Participants were considered at CI risk if they tested positive for at least one of three validated CI screening tests: The Memory Impairment Screening, Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire, and Semantic Verbal Fluency. The A-to-Z data Collection included Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: The estimated prevalence of CI was 22.6% in a sample of 709 patients with an average of 69.3±10.3 years. The risk factors gradually associated with cognitive decline were hypertension, loneliness, and depression. In contrast, the protective factors gradually associated with less cognitive decline were internet use, reading, and intellectually stimulating jobs. Finally, living alone, having diabetes, taking benzodiazepines, and sleeping more than 9 h were statistically significant associated with CI, whereas to do memory training or a family history of dementia was characteristic of patients without CI. Conclusion: A joint assessment of the influence of psychosocial, clinical, and lifestyle-related factors is needed to develop dementia prevention strategies.

The effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on chronic pain: a pilot study.

Objective: Rheumatic diseases result in chronic pain (CP) and require treatment with drugs whose prolonged administration is associated with side effects. However, publications in the academic literature have suggested that diet modification and food supplementation can play a crucial role in alleviating the symptoms of inflammatory disease. Thus, it is hoped that the use of an anti-inflammatory diet for pain management might result in improved quality of life. Hence, here we aimed to investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory foods in patients with CP caused by rheumatic diseases. Methods: After an exhaustive bibliography search, we designed a 13-item anti-inflammatory dietary guide based on a Mediterranean diet without red meat, gluten, or cow's milk (the AnMeD-S). We then conducted a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of this anti-inflammatory diet in patients with CP. A food consumption score (with a maximum of 156 points) was then applied to evaluate patient adhesion to the proposed diet. Forty-five patients with CP were followed-up for 4 months. Variables related with quality of life (including pain perception, depression status, and sleep satisfaction) were measured using 9 validated questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were recorded before and after the participants followed the anti-inflammatory diet. Results: We found a correlation between increased anti-inflammatory food intake and improved physical characteristics, stress, and pain in the patients we assessed. Moreover, decreased consumption of pro-inflammatory foods was positively correlated with sleep satisfaction. Following the AnMeD-S was associated with improved physical characteristics and quality-of-life in patients with CP. Conclusion: The AnMeD-S, includes anti-inflammatory foods and restricts the consumption of certain pro-inflammatory foods (such as those containing gluten). This dietary pattern could provide relief from CP and improve the symptoms of stress and depression, as well as reducing sleep disturbances.

Bridging the Generational Digital Divide in the Healthcare Environment.

Increasing technological advances have generated a digital dependency in the population, resulting in a group of digitally excluded vulnerable people that lack basic digital skills. The aim of this study was to assess the digital divide in patients in relation to the healthcare environment. We explored the extent and effects of the digital health divide by undertaking a systematic review of the academic literature and comparing our findings with the results of a cross-sectional in-person survey answered by 881 people at four community pharmacies. In terms of the sociodemographic profile of the patients, we collected data regarding their gender, age, education level, and location (periphery or urban). The parameters evaluated were use of the internet to search for health information, use of telemedicine, use of different medical/healthcare applications, understanding explanations given by physicians regarding health, and asking pharmacists for help about newly prescribed treatments. Moreover, 168 pharmacists answered an online survey about how often they helped patients to make health center appointments or to download their COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Gender did not influence these results, but age, education level, and population location did. Those with the lowest levels of education required more help to request a health center appointment. People with high education levels and those living in an urban environment more often searched the internet for information about treatments that were new to them. Finally, people living in periphery areas received more help from their pharmacists, 60% of which said they had helped patients to download their COVID-19 vaccination certificate, with 24% of them saying they helped patients with this on a daily basis.