International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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12 pages, 356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Determinants of Quality of Life Differ in Older People Living in the Community and Nursing Homes?

by Małgorzata Pigłowska, Tomasz Kostka and Agnieszka Guligowska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20020916 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2011

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity (PA) level, concomitant chronic diseases, and quality of life (QoL) in community-dwelling (CD) older people and nursing home (NH) residents. Material and Methods: One [...] Read more.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity (PA) level, concomitant chronic diseases, and quality of life (QoL) in community-dwelling (CD) older people and nursing home (NH) residents. Material and Methods: One hundred NH residents aged 60 years and above and one hundred sex- and age-matched CD older adults were examined. The QoL was examined with the EuroQol-5D questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire (MNA), anthropometric measures, and bioimpedance analysis (BIA). The 7-Day Recall Questionnaire and the Stanford Usual Activity Questionnaire were performed to evaluate the PA energy expenditure level (PA-EE) and the health-related behaviours (PA-HRB), respectively. Results: CD subjects presented a significantly higher self-assessment in the VAS scale in comparison with NH residents (CD: 65.3 ± 19.4 vs. NH 58.2 ± 21.4; p < 0.05), but there were no differences within the five dimensions of QoL. In NH patients, the VAS scale was not correlated with any of the variables evaluating the nutritional status and body composition, while in the CD group correlated positively with MNA (rS = 0.36; p < 0.001), % of FFM (rS = 0.22; p< 0.05), body density (rS = 0.22; p < 0.05) and negatively with % of FM (rS = −0.22; p < 0.05). In an institutional environment, only concomitant diseases (mainly urinary incontinence) were found as independent determinants for QoL. In the community, independent determinants of QoL besides concomitant diseases (mainly ischaemic heart disease) were nutritional status or PA-HRB. Conclusions: Determinants of QoL are different depending on the living environment the older adults. Proper nutritional status and beneficial PA behaviours, are crucial for higher QoL of CD elderly, while for NH residents, the main determinants of QoL are chronic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

10 pages, 344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Associated with Medication Adherence among Community-Dwelling Older People with Frailty and Pre-Frailty in China

by Wenwen Cao, Chenglin Cao, Xin Zheng, Kai Ji, Qiming Liang, Yunwei Wu, Zhi Hu and Zhongliang Bai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16001; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316001 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1413

Abstract

Background: Frail and pre-frail older people often need to take medications. However, factors related to medication adherence among this population remain unclear, warranting further research. This study aims to identify correlates of medication adherence among frail and pre-frail older adults. Methods: From November [...] Read more.

Background: Frail and pre-frail older people often need to take medications. However, factors related to medication adherence among this population remain unclear, warranting further research. This study aims to identify correlates of medication adherence among frail and pre-frail older adults. Methods: From November 2020 to December 2020; a total of 4218 community-dwelling residents aged ≥ 60 years were interviewed by a cross-sectional survey in China. Data on subjects’ general information; medication adherence; and frailty status was obtained via the face-to-face structured questionnaire. Logistic regression models were fitted; separately; to examine these factors linked to medication adherence. Results: We found that 36.2% (n = 1527) and 18.8% (n = 792) of respondents were classified as pre-frail and frail. According to the Morisky scale scores, 66.74% (n = 2815) were found to have adequate medication adherence, and 33.26% (n = 1403) were found to have inadequate medication adherence. Among the pre-frail respondents, age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.64; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18–2.29, P = 0.003), marital status (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.04–2.21, P = 0.030), smoking status (AOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.37–0.99, P = 0.044), and functional ability (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.58–0.91, P = 0.006) were significantly related to medication adherence. Among them, advanced age and single were risk factors, which were positively related to the medication adherence of subjects in pre-frailty, while quitting smoking and limited functional ability contributed to improving their medication adherence. In contrast, only age (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.16–2.69, P = 0.008) was significantly associated with medication adherence among frail subjects. Conclusion: Influencing factors to medication adherence of old people in pre-frailty and frailty have been enriched, which provides a certain reference for promoting medication adherence in this population. Future adherence intervention methods should be designed based on these factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

13 pages, 606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of China’s Population Mortality under Limited Data

by Zhenmin Cheng, Wanwan Si, Zhiwei Xu and Kaibiao Xiang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12371; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912371 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1218

Abstract

Population mortality is an important step in quantifying the risk of longevity. China lacks data on population mortality, especially the elderly population. Therefore, this paper first uses spline fitting to supplement the missing data and then uses dynamic models to predict the species [...] Read more.

Population mortality is an important step in quantifying the risk of longevity. China lacks data on population mortality, especially the elderly population. Therefore, this paper first uses spline fitting to supplement the missing data and then uses dynamic models to predict the species mortality of the Chinese population, including age extrapolation and trend extrapolation. Firstly, for age extrapolation, kannisto is used to expand the data of the high-age population. Secondly, the Lee-Carter single-factor model is used to predict gender and age mortality. This paper fills and smoothes the deficiencies of the original data to make up for the deficiencies of our population mortality data and improve the prediction accuracy of population mortality and life expectancy, while analyzing the impact of mortality improvement and providing a theoretical basis for policies to deal with the risk of longevity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

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13 pages, 703 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mental Health of Older Adults in the Densely Populated Areas of Tacna Region—Peru, 2021: Implications of the COVID-19 Information

by Elena Cachicatari-Vargas, Karimen Jetzabel Mutter Cuellar, Wender Florencio Condori Chipana, Flor de Maria Miranda Socasaire, Ángel Acevedo-Duque and Orfelina Arpasi-Quispe

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11470; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811470 - 12 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2240

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the implications of exposure to various news channels that broadcast information on COVID-19 and their impact on the mental health of older adults in the sparsely populated area of the Tacna Region during the year [...] Read more.

The purpose of this research was to analyze the implications of exposure to various news channels that broadcast information on COVID-19 and their impact on the mental health of older adults in the sparsely populated area of the Tacna Region during the year 2021. The present study used a descriptive correlational type of quantitative approach on a sample of 389 older adults aged 60 years and over, who were recruited by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. For the application of the survey technique, the instrument used was a questionnaire modified by the authors. In terms of research ethics for the development of the study, the respondents provided informed consent, and other ethical considerations were addressed. In relation to sociodemographic variables of mental health, it was found that women had a greater incidence of anxiety (p < 0.01) and that people with fewer years of study had a greater incidence of depression (p < 0.01) and anxiety in sparsely populated areas. Exposure to news through television was associated with depression, and news obtained from other people was associated with depression (p < 0.001). An association was also found between the number of hours of television news and stress (p < 0.05), and radio news was associated with anxiety (p < 0.05). In terms of psychological consequences, the highest mean for television exposure was fear, while the greatest psychological consequence of radio news was fear, followed by stress and awareness. Finally, negative, inverse, and significant relationships were found that indicate protective factors, such as depression with awareness and indignation, and anxiety was inversely related to awareness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

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18 pages, 1280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sociodemographic and Health-Related Factors Influencing Drug Intake among the Elderly Population

by Alicja Pietraszek, Siddarth Agrawal, Mateusz Dróżdż, Sebastian Makuch, Igor Domański, Tomasz Dudzik, Krzysztof Dudek and Małgorzata Sobieszczańska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8766; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148766 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1808

Abstract

Excessive drugs intake among the elderly population, including self-medication, constitutes an important public health problem. Polypharmacy may lead to numerous adverse health effects, which become more prevalent when combined with biological changes in seniors. In this cross-sectional study, 500 Polish adults aged ≥60 [...] Read more.

Excessive drugs intake among the elderly population, including self-medication, constitutes an important public health problem. Polypharmacy may lead to numerous adverse health effects, which become more prevalent when combined with biological changes in seniors. In this cross-sectional study, 500 Polish adults aged ≥60 years (M = 67.9 ± 4.2) were asked to complete a questionnaire via telephone calls, allowing us to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors influencing the daily medications consumption. Our findings revealed that all of the participants were receiving medications; 60.2% of them receive at least 1 to 3 drugs per day (301/500). The most commonly used medications included antihypertensive drugs and analgesics (51.0% and 46.0%, respectively). Taking into account clinical conditions, independent predictors of receiving over 3 medications per day turned out to be (1) coronary artery disease (OR = 6.77; CI 95%, 2.86–16.1), (2) diabetes (OR = 3.23, CI 95%, 1.75–5.95), (3) asthma (OR = 4.87, CI 95%, 2.13–11.1), (4) heart failure (OR = 3.38, CI 95%, 1.59–7.19) and (5) gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR = 1.93, CI 95%, 1.03–3.62). Participants suffering from depression were more likely to take drugs for hypertension (OR = 1.70, CI 95%, 1.04–2.78), while those with anxiety and social loneliness took more painkillers (OR = 2.59, CI 95%, 1.58–4.26 and OR = 2.08, CI 95%, 1.38–3.13, respectively). The most significant sociodemographic factors increasing the drugs intake among the population included in our study were high body mass and subsequent increased BMI values (OR = 2.68, CI 95%, 1.50–4.77). Furthermore, living in a city with over 400,000 inhabitants increased the likelihood of taking antidepressants (OR = 2.18, CI 95%, 1.20–3.94). Our study revealed factors increasing the risk of excessive medications intake and hence, increased susceptibility to some iatrogenic diseases among the elderly population. These factors should be considered by primary care physicians while prescribing appropriate drugs to elderly patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

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12 pages, 636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Age and Surgical Technique with the Quality of Life of Male Patients Treated for Abdominal Aorta Aneurysms: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Silvestra Barrena-Blázquez, Manuel Díez-Alonso, Luis Felipe Riera del Moral, Salvador Sanchez-Coll, Melchor Alvarez-Mon, Miguel A. Ortega and Fernando Ruiz-Grande

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6580; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116580 - 28 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1483

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. The achievement of a good health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become one of the primary objectives of medical–surgical interventions. The objective of this study is to determine the HRQoL of patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery and to analyse [...] Read more.

OBJECTIVES. The achievement of a good health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become one of the primary objectives of medical–surgical interventions. The objective of this study is to determine the HRQoL of patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery and to analyse the influence of age on HRQoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This is an observational cross-sectional study with 151 male patients who underwent an operation for AAAs between January 2013 and December 2020 in two hospital centres. HRQoL was assessed with the Spanish version of the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), starting in the month following the surgical intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using hypothesis tests and multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 73 years (SD: 7), and the mean interval between surgery and the interview was 37 months (SD: 27). The scores of the Physical Function (p = 0.001), Vitality (p = 0.016), Social Function (p = 0.014), and Mental Health (p = 0.007) dimensions of the SF-36 were significantly lower in the older age groups. In addition, the scores on the Physical Summary Component (p = 0.003) and the Mental Summary Component (p = 0.026) were significantly lower among individuals older than 70 years of age. The HRQoL in patients who underwent operations for AAAs was similar to that reported in the general population of Spain. Patients with an aorto-aortic shunt had better scores on the Physical Function (Beta: 10; p = 0.014) and Mental Health (Beta: 8.12; p = 0.040) dimensions than those who had an aorto-bi-iliac or bifemoral shunt, regardless of the age of the patients at operation. CONCLUSION: Among patients who underwent an operation for an AAA, there was a negative association between the age at operation and scores on the Physical Function, Vitality, Social Function, and Mental Health dimensions of the SF-36. The type of surgical technique influences the evolution of Physical Function and Mental Health scores, regardless of age. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

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11 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Association between Sarcopenia and Cognitive Impairment among Older Adults in Rural Malaysia

by K. Ramoo, Noran N. Hairi, A. Yahya, W. Y. Choo, F. Mohd Hairi, D. Peramalah, S. Kandiben, A. Bulgiba, Z. Mohd Ali, I. Abdul Razak, N. Ismail and N. S. Ahmad

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084723 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2707

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a condition that is highly prevalent among older adults. This condition is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, including cognitive impairment that impairs healthy ageing. While sarcopenia and cognitive impairment may share a common pathway, limited longitudinal studies exist to show [...] Read more.

Sarcopenia is a condition that is highly prevalent among older adults. This condition is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, including cognitive impairment that impairs healthy ageing. While sarcopenia and cognitive impairment may share a common pathway, limited longitudinal studies exist to show the relationship between these two conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the longitudinal association between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment. This is a cohort study among older adults residing in Kuala Pilah District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. There were 2404 respondents at the baseline and 1946 respondents at one-year follow-up. Cognitive impairment was determined using Mini-mental State Examination scores. Sarcopenia was identified using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria, gait speed was measured using a 4-meter gait test, handgrip strength was assessed using Jamar handheld dynamometer, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to determine the longitudinal association between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment, presented as relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 5.0% (95% CI 4.00–5.90), and severe sarcopenia was 3.60% (95% CI 2.84–4.31). Upon adjusting for covariates, older adults with sarcopenia have an 80 per cent increased risk of cognitive impairment compared to those without (RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.18–2.75). Similarly, severe sarcopenia was found to significantly increase the risk of cognitive impairment by 101 per cent in the adjusted model (RR 2.01; 95% CI 1.24–3.27). Our study showed that sarcopenia, severe sarcopenia, low physical activity, depressive symptoms, hearing impairment and chronic pain were associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults. Therefore, early intervention to prevent sarcopenia, depressive symptoms, hearing impairment, chronic pain, and higher physical activity among older adults is recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

Other

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5 pages, 1870 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Implantation of a Leadless Pacemaker after Incomplete Transvenous Lead Extraction in a 90-Year-Old Pacemaker-Dependent Patient

by Gerald Drożdż, Bruno Hrymniak, Bartosz Biel, Przemysław Skoczyński, Wiktoria Drożdż, Dorota Zyśko, Waldemar Banasiak and Dariusz Jagielski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6313; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106313 - 23 May 2022

Viewed by 1695

Abstract

Transluminal lead extraction (TLE) is a well-established procedure for the removal of damaged or infected pacing systems. Despite its high efficacy, the procedure is associated with significant risks, some of which may contribute to severe life-threatening complications. Herein, we present the case of [...] Read more.

Transluminal lead extraction (TLE) is a well-established procedure for the removal of damaged or infected pacing systems. Despite its high efficacy, the procedure is associated with significant risks, some of which may contribute to severe life-threatening complications. Herein, we present the case of a 90-year-old female who was 100% pacemaker-dependent (PM-dependent) and had ventricular lead fragmentation after the TLE procedure. In this elderly patient, after taking into account the whole clinical context—age, frailty syndrome, infection, and high peri- and postprocedural risks—we decided on MICRA VR implantation as well as leaving the remains of the ventricular lead in the right heart chambers. A Leadless pacemaker (LP) is an excellent alternative to PM-dependent individuals, in whom implantation of permanent transvenous PM is precluded due to multiple infectious and non-infectious issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Health Problems in Older Adults)

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