Effect of ApoE Genotype on the Relationship between Nutritional Risk and Cognition in the Elderly

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of ApoE genotype on the relationship between nutritional risk and cognition of the elderly in a community. METHODS: A total of 996 subjects (343 men and 653 women) aged 60~91 years were analyzed from preliminary data of GDEMCIS (Gwangju Dementia and MCI Study). The study questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, current and past illness history, drug history, K-SGDS (Korean version of Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale), K-MMSE (Korean version-Mini Mental State Examina- tion), and NSI (Nutritional Screening Initiative) checklist. We also examined blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, lipid profile, body mass index, and ApoE genotyping. RESULTS: 649 subjects (65.2%) were on good nutritional state (NSI score or = 3). On multiple logistic regression analysis, moderate or high nutritional risk was associated with an increa- sed risk for cognitive impairment (K-MMSE score < or = 17) after adjustment with age, sex, K-GDS and educational level in the absence of ApoE epsilon4 allele (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.15-2.77). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that nutritional risk may be associated with cognitive function in the elderly only in the absence of ApoE epsilon4 allele.

A Study on the Nutrient Intake, Health Risk Factors, Blood Health Status in Elderly Korean Women Living Alone / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient intake, the health status as determined self-assessment checklist, biochemical indicators of elderly Korean women. We interviewed and 55 female subjects living alone in the Urban aged over 65 years. Information on their dietary intake was collected by 24-hour Recall method. Their health status was determined by a NSI checklist. Biochemical indicators were performed in whole blood and plasma of subjects. Except for protein, Fe, all of the elderly subjects belonged to over moderate nutritional risk. The average daily nutrient intake of the elderly was below the level of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Koreans. A relationship between their health risk score and nutrient intake was observed negatively (not significantly). They had a risk of anemia as hemoglobin and hematocrit of subjects were under the normal value. Therefore, the reason that health risk score and health status badly was thought for lower nutrient intake.

Evaluation of Functional Ability and Nutritional Risk according to Self-Rated Health (SRH) of the Elderly in Seoul and Kyunggi-do

A functional ability and adequate nutritional status are the major determinants of health status. Self-rated health (SRH) is a worldwide method to assess health status and it is recognized as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. This study was designed to evaluate the functional ability and nutritional risk according to SRH in the elderly. Four hundred nine free-living elderly people (118 male, 291 female), aged > or = 65 years were interviewed by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires including demographic information, SRH, anthropometric measurements, functional ability, general health status, and nutritional risk. SRH was divided into three status such as "Good", "Moderate" and "Poor" status. And all the data were analyzed by oneway ANOVA , spearman correlation, and x(2) analysis using SPSS 9.0 version at p < 0.05. Of all the subjects, 48.9% perceived their health status as "poor", and their functional abilities (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living) were more impaired than their counterparts' ("good" and "moderate"). Poor self-rated health was also related to: a higher prevalence of illnesses (p < 0.001) especially in hypertension, arthritis. Self-rated health was significantly related to food security (p < 0.001), food enjoyment (p < 0.001),and nutritional knowledge (p = 0.013). Also NSI checklist total score was the highest in "poor" health status (p < 0.001). Better self-rated health was related to better food security, and better food enjoyment. However, smoking, alcoholic intake, exercise, eating behaviors, and demographic characteristics were not significantly different among the three SRH status. SRH was closely related to chronic diseases, functional ability, and nutritional risk in the elderly. Therefore, public health strategies for the elderly should be focused on the elderly who are "poor" in SRH, to improve nutritional status and functional ability, and to reduce risk factors of chronic diseases.

Nutrients Intake, Zinc Status and Health Risk Factors in Elderly Korean Women as Evaluated by the Nutrition Screening Inistiative (NSI) Checklist / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the health status as determined by a self-assessment checklist was related to the nutritional status of elderly Korean women. We interviewed 59 female subjects living in the Daegu area aged over 55 years. Information on their dietary intake on two consecutive days was collected by the 24-hour Recall Method. Their body compositions were measured using a Bio-electrical Impedence Fatness Analyzer. Their zinc status was evaluated according to their dietary zinc intake and urinary zinc excretion in urine samples collected for 24 hours. Their heath status was determined by a NSI Checklist. While 50.9% of the total subjects belonged to a moderate nutritional risk group, 23.7% of the subjects were at a high nutritional risk. It appeared that only 25.4% of the subjects were evaluated as being healthy. Therefore, the overall nutritional health status of the elderly females belonged to the moderate nutritional risk group. Except for vitamin C, the average daily nutrient intake of the subjects was below the level of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Koreans. The lower the nutritional health score, the better was their dietary intake of energy (p < .05), protein (p < .001), and zinc (p < .01). A positive relationship between their nutritional health score and body fat ratio was also observed (p < .05). Therefore, we suggest that the NSI Checklist could be used as a practical screening tool at the beginning of nutritional surveillance of the elderly in the community.