Self-perceived cognitive function and neuropsychological performance in women with fibromyalgia

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction is a common complain in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Aim: To assess the perceived cognitive function and cognitive performance in women with FM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 100 women with FM (FMG) and 100 healthy controls (CG). Self-perceived cognitive functioning was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognition scale (FACT-Cogv3). The neuropsychological performance was assessed with the Trail Making Test (TMT-A, TMT-B), Digit Span test (DS), Barcelona test (DS-F/B) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB-E), Spanish version test. Results: The mean scores of all cognitive self-perception factors and all neuropsychological tests were lower in the FMG (p < 0.001). Over 90% of the FMG took longer than the population mean (P50) to complete the TMT-A and TMT-B tests, while in the CG, 1/3 took longer than the P50 in both tests. The minimum expected scores for the DS-F and DS-B tests were not achieved by 40 and 9% of FMG participants, respectively. According to FAB-E, 54% and 24% of FMG were categorized as fronto-subcortical deficit and fronto-subcortical dementia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Women with FM have a higher perception of cognitive dysfunction and lower cognitive performance in objective tests than healthy women. More research is needed to explore the clinical, psychosocial, and sociodemographic characteristics that predispose to cognitive deficits in this group of patients.

ANTECEDENTESA: La disfunción cognitiva es una queja común en pacientes con fibromialgia (FM). Objetivo: Investigar la función cognitiva percibida y el desempeño cognitivo en mujeres chilenas con FM. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal incluyendo a 100 mujeres con FM (GFM) y 100 mujeres como controles sanos (GC). El funcionamiento cognitivo autopercibido se evaluó mediante la prueba Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognition scale (FACT-Cogv3). El rendimiento neuropsicológico se evaluó mediante las pruebas Trail Making Test (TMT-A, TMT-B) y Digit Span test (DS), Barcelona test (DS-F/B) y la prueba Frontal Assessment Battery, versión española (FAB-E). RESULTADOS: Las puntuaciones medias de todos los factores de autopercepción cognitiva y todas las pruebas neuropsicológicas fueron significativamente menores en el GFM. Para TMT-A y TMT-B, más del 90% del GFM tardó más que la media poblacional (P50) para completar las pruebas, mientras que en el GC aproximadamente 1/3 requirió más tiempo que el P50 en ambas pruebas. Un 40 y 9% del GFM no obtuvo la puntuación mínima esperada para las pruebas DS-F y DS-B, respectivamente. Según FAB-E, el 54% y 24% del GFM se clasificó como déficit fronto-subcortical y demencia fronto-subcortical, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Las mujeres con FM tienen una mayor percepción de disfunción cognitiva y menor rendimiento cognitivo en pruebas objetivas que mujeres sanas. Se necesita más investigación para explorar las características clínicas, psicosociales y sociodemográficas que predisponen a los déficits cognitivos en este grupo de pacientes.

Relationship between anthropometric nutritional status and functional capacity in older adults living in the community / Relación entre estado nutricional antropométrico y condición física funcional en adultos mayores independientes

ABSTRACT Background: The functional fitness of older people may be associated with their nutritional status. Aim: To assess the association between of anthropometric measures with functional fitness in older people. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 75 participants aged 65 to 89 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fat mass (FM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were calculated from anthropometric measures. The functional fitness was determined using the Senior Fitness Test battery. Results: BMI and FM indicated obesity, and WHtR indicated cardiometabolic risk in 49%, 55% and 83% of participants, respectively. SMI indicated a low muscle mass in 91% of females. Performance standards of chair stand, arm curl, 2-min step test and 8-foot up-and-go tests were met in 1%, 8%, 1% and 89% of participants, respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between 2-min step test and BMI, WHtR and FM (r = −0.26, −0.31 and −0.48 respectively). Back scratch had a negative correlation with BMI (r = −0.23) and SMI (rho = −0.28). Significant positive correlations were found between 8-foot up-and-go, WHtR (rho = 0.28) and FM (rho = 0.23), and between 2-min step test and SMI (rho = 0.28). The coefficient of determination (R2) between 2-min step test with BMI, WHtR and FM were 0.05, 0.08 and 0.22, respectively, while the R2 between back scratch and BMI was 0.04. Multiple regression models indicated that FM affected the 2-min step test independently of BMI and WHtR (adjusted R2 = 0.22), however age and sex negatively influenced these associations. Conclusions: Functional fitness of older adults is influenced by nutritional anthropometric measures, particularly BMI, WHtR and FM for aerobic capacity, and BMI for upper limb flexibility.

Introducción: El estado nutricional y la condición física funcional (CFF) pueden estar relacionados en adultos mayores. Objetivo: Analizar la influencia de medidas antropométricas nutricionales sobre CFF. Material y Método: Estudio transversal realizado en 75 adultos de 65 a 89 años. Las variables antropométricas fueron índice de masa corporal (IMC), razón cintura-talla (RCT), masa adiposa (MA) e índice de masa muscular esquelética (IMME). La evaluación de CFF se efectuó con la batería Senior Fitness Test. Resultados: El IMC y MA indicaron obesidad, y RCT indicó riesgo cardiometabólico en 49%, 55% y 83% de los participantes, respectivamente. IMME indicó una baja masa muscular en 91% de las mujeres. El estándar de rendimiento para las pruebas sentarse-levantarse, flexión-codo, paso-2-minutos y levantarse-caminar-sentarse se logró en 1%, 8%, 1% y 89% de los participantes, respectivamente. Se encontraron correlaciones significativas negativas entre paso-2-minutos con IMC, RCT y MA (r = −0.26,-0.31 y-0.48 respectivamente. La misma asociación se observó entre juntar-manos-espalda con IMC (r = −0.23) e IMME (rho = −0.28). Se encontraron correlaciones significativas positivas entre levantarse-caminar-sentarse con RCT (rho=0.28) y MA (rho = 0.23), y entre paso-2-minutos con IMME (rho = 0.28). Los R2 entre paso-2-minutos e IMC, RCT y MA fueron 0.05, 0.08 y 0.22, respectivamente, mientras que el R2 entre juntar-manos-espalda e IMC fue 0.04. Los modelos de regresión múltiple indicaron que MA afectó la prueba paso-2-minutos independientemente de IMC y RCT (R2 ajustado = 0.22), aunque la edad y sexo afectaron negativamente estas asociaciones. Conclusiones: La CFF de adultos mayores es influenciada por alteraciones evidenciadas por medidas antropométricas nutricionales, particularmente IMC, RCT y MA sobre la capacidad aeróbica, e IMC sobre la flexibilidad de extremidad superior.

Association of maximal voluntary isometric handgrip strength with age, gender and handedness in older people / Fuerza de agarre isométrica máxima en relación a la edad, sexo y dominancia de mano

ABSTRACT Background: Maximal voluntary isometric handgrip strength (MVIHS) is influenced by age, sex, and handedness. Aim: To assess the association of MVIHS with age, sex, and handedness in older adults. Material and Methods: MVIHS was measured using a digital dynamometer in 60 men and 60 women aged 73 ± 6 years. Weight, height and handedness were also recorded. For analysis purposes, participants were divided into two age groups (65 to 70.9 years of age and ≥ 71 years). Results: A negative correlation was observed between age and MVIHS in the non-dominant (r = −0.65 and −0.59 in men and women, respectively) and dominant hands (r = −0.71 and −0.64 in men and women, respectively). When age and MVIHS were correlated in the group aged 65-70 years, a significant correlation was observed in the non-dominant (r = −045 and −0.61 in men and women, respectively) and dominant hands (r = −0.47 and −0.64 in men and women, respectively). In the group aged ≥ 71 years, a stronger correlation with age was also observed in the non-dominant (r = −0.92 and −0.90 in men and women, respectively) and dominant hands (r = −0.95 and −0.90 in men and women, respectively). MVIHS was 2.8 to 8.9% lower in the non-dominant than in the dominant hand in all age groups. MVIHS was lower in women than in men in both age groups. Conclusions: MVIHS declines with age (especially after 71 years of age), is higher in men than women, and higher in the dominant than the non-dominant hand.

Antecedentes: La fuerza de agarre isométrica voluntaria máxima (FAIVM) puede verse influenciada por la edad, el sexo y la dominancia. Objetivo: Describir la FAIVM y su relación con la edad, el sexo y la dominancia en adultos mayores. Material y Métodos: La FAIVM, la masa corporal, la talla, y la dominancia fueron medidas mediante protocolos estandarizados en 60 hombres e igual número de mujeres que fueron divididos en dos grupos acorde a su edad (65 a 70,9 años, y ≥ 71 años, respectivamente). Resultados: Se observó una correlación entre la edad y la FAIVM de mano no-dominante (hombres: r = −0,65; mujeres: r = −0,59) y dominante (hombres: r = −0,71; mujeres: r = −0,64). Al correlacionar la FAIVM y la edad en el grupo de 65-70 años, una correlación significativa fue observada en la mano no-dominante (hombres, r = −0,45; mujeres, r = −0,61) y mano dominante (hombres, r = −0,47; mujeres, r = −0,64). En el grupo ≥ 71 años, la edad tuvo una mayor correlación con la FAIVM de la mano no-dominante (hombres, r = −0,92; mujeres, r = −0,90) y mano dominante (hombres, r = −0,95; mujeres, r = −0,90). Comparada con la mano dominante, la mano no-dominante presentó menores valores de FAIVM en todos los grupos, variando entre −2,8 a −8,9%. Comparadas con los hombres, las mujeres presentaron menor FAIVM en mano dominante y no-dominante, en ambos grupos de edad. Conclusión: La FAIVM disminuye con la edad, especialmente desde los 71 años; es mayor en hombres comparados con mujeres y es mayor en mano dominante comparada con mano no-dominante.

Asociación predictiva entre parámetros de condición física y dimensiones de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adultos mayores chilenos insertos en la comunidad / Association between physical fitness parameters and health related quality of life in Chilean community-dwelling older adults

Background: There is no conclusive evidence about the association between physical fitness (PF) and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults. Aim: To seek for an association between PF and HRQOL in non-disabled community-dwelling Chilean older adults. Material and Methods: One hundred and sixteen subjects participated in the study. PF was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) and hand grip strength (HGS). HRQOL was assessed using eight dimensions provided by the SF-12v2 questionnaire. Binary multivariate logistic regression models were carried out considering the potential influence of confounder variables. Results: Non-adjusted models, indicated that subjects with better performance in arm curl test (ACT) were more likely to score higher on vitality dimension (OR > 1) and those with higher HGS were more likely to score higher on physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality and mental health (OR > 1). The adjusted models consistently showed that ACT and HGS predicted a favorable perception of vitality and mental health dimensions respectively (OR > 1). Conclusions: HGS and ACT have a predictive value for certain dimensions of HRQOL.

Fuerza prensil de mano y su asociación con la edad, género y dominancia de extremidad superior en adultos mayores autovalentes insertos en la comunidad: Un estudio exploratorio / Association of grip strength with gender age and handedness in 116 older people

Background: Hand grip strength could be influenced by gender, age and handedness. Aim: To describe differences in grip strength for age, gender and upper extremity handedness in non-disabled community-dwelling older adults. Material and Methods: We studied 47 males aged 72.3 ± 5.6 years and 69 females 72.4 ± 6.0 years who were divided in two age groups (65-70 and ≥ 71 years old). Grip strength was determined by a standardized protocol using a hand dynamometer. Results: There was an inverse correlation between grip strength and age in both hands only among men (p ≤ 0.05). When analyzing both genders, there was a significant inverse correlation between grip strength and age only in the dominant hand (p ≤ 0.05). Strength was higher in the dominant hand in both genders (p ≤ 0.05). It was also higher in men, compared to women in the two age groups studied (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Grip strength is higher in men than women, it decreases with age and is higher in the dominant hand.