Association of affected lower limb flexor muscle strength with swing phase duration and gait speed in elderly post-stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have shown an association of muscle weakness with gait speed (GS), no study has explored the relationship of muscle strength with swing phase duration and GS after stroke among the elderly in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of affected ankle dorsiflexor and hip flexor muscle strength with swing phase duration and GS in the elderly with different stroke chronicity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included a total of 60 post-stroke patients aged ≥55 years who were admitted in neurorehabilitation units between May 2017 and August 2018. Linear regression was employed to examine the association of muscle strength (measured using a handheld dynamometer) with swing phase duration and GS (both measured using the computerized Zebris-Mat). RESULTS: The chronicity of the stroke was negatively associated (p < 0.05) with swing phase duration. The ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength was significantly associated with GS (ß= 0.656, p = 0.041). In contrast, hip flexor muscle strength was significantly associated with GS (ß= 0.574, p < 0.0001) even after adjusting for stroke chronicity (ß= 0.561, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke chronicity was the predictor that reduced swing phase duration. The ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength was associated with GS. However, the hip flexor muscle strength was associated with GS even after adjusting for stroke chronicity.

Associations between social determinants and the presence of chronic diseases: data from the osteoarthritis Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Some studies investigated the relationship between musculoskeletal conditions and chronic diseases. However, no study examined the association between social determinants and chronic diseases among people at high risk for knee osteoarthritis. Thus, the current study was aimed to address this gap. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted on a total of 3280 men and women aged 45 to 79 who were recruited in the Osteoarthritis Initiative. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analyses show that age ≥ 65 years was associated with 1.98, 1.96, and 1.46 times odds of the presence of diabetes, heart attack, and multi-morbidity, respectively than age ≤ 64 years. Men were associated with 1.39, 1.41, 1.76, and 2.24 times odds of the presence of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and heart attack, respectively than women. African American/Asian/ non-Caucasian was associated with 2.71, 2.56, and 1.93 times odds of the presence of arthritis, diabetes, and heart attack, respectively than Caucasian. Primary school/less education was associated with twice or more times the odds of arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than ≥high school education. Unemployment was associated with 1.41-, 1.73-, 1.58-, and 1.70-time odds of the presence of arthritis, cancer, COPD, and heart attack, respectively, then employed. Unmarried/widowed/separated was associated with 1.41, 1.75, 2.77, 2.76, 1.86, and 3.34 times odds of the presence of arthritis, asthma, cancer, COPD, diabetes, and heart attack, respectively than married. Annual income < 50,000 was associated with 1.33-, 1.44-, and 1.38-time odds of the presence of arthritis, diabetes, and multi-morbidity, respectively, then annual income ≥50,000. Overweight/obese was associated with 2.28 times the odds of the presence of diabetes than healthy weight. Current/former smoker was associated with 1.57, 2.47, 2.53, 1.63, and 1.24 times odds of the presence of arthritis, cancer, COPD, heart attack, and multi-morbidity, respectively than a nonsmoker. Consuming alcohol was associated with 1.32-, 1.65-, 1.50-, and 1.24-time odds of the presence of arthritis, COPD, diabetes, and multi-morbidity, respectively, then nonalcoholic. CONCLUSIONS: Social determinants are associated with the presence of chronic diseases. Some of the social determinants are modifiable or treatable. Thus, these findings can inform public health strategies in the United States.

Physical performance and activity among older adults visiting primary healthcare centres in Riyadh.

OBJECTIVE: To assess physical performance (PP) and physical activity (PA) among older adults visiting primary healthcare centres (PHCCs) in Riyadh. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, men and women (n = 74) aged ≥60 years were recruited from five PHCCs across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 19 February and 6 August 2017. The Timed Up & Go test was used to assess PP. Self-reported PA was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Means and standard deviations were used to describe PP and PA scores across genders. A two-tailed independent samples t-test was used to estimate mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between genders. RESULTS: Men scored significantly lower than women on PP (MD: 2.11, 95% CI: 0.59 to 3.64) and PA (MD: -46.1, 95% CI: -80.96 to -11.25). Significant gender differences were observed for leisure time activities (MD: 17.35, 95% CI: 3.29 to 31.40), light household activities (MD: -10.86, 95% CI: -16.19 to -5.53) and heavy household activities (MD: -6.48, 95% CI: -11.73 to -1.23). CONCLUSIONS: Men show significantly lower PP and PA than women. There are gender differences in leisure time activities and in light and heavy household activities.

Obesity and Multisite Pain in the Lower Limbs: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Background: Although several studies investigated the relationship between obesity, osteoarthritis, and pain, no study examined the association between obesity and multijoint pain in the lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to address this gap. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between March and April 2019. In this study, a total of 4,661 adults aged 45-79 years with or at high risk for knee osteoarthritis were included from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. The persons who had an elevated risk of developing symptoms of knee osteoarthritis during the study were defined as high risk for knee osteoarthritis. According to the body mass index, participants were categorized into three groups: normal weight (n = 1,068), overweight (n = 1,832), and obese (n = 1,761). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between obesity and multisite pain. Results: The odds of multisite pain was associated significantly (p < 0.001) by 1.36 times higher with obesity than normal weight, no, or sigle-site pain, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and health variables. Conclusion: Obesity is associated with an increased likelihood of multisite pain in the lower limbs. The results enable clinicians to adopt better standards of practice for the prevention and screening of multisite pain in this community.

The Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, Hypertension, and Diabetes in India: Analysis of the 2015-2016 National Family Health Survey.

Overweight, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes increase the risk of non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality worldwide. Previous studies have not determined the prevalence of these conditions/diseases throughout India. Therefore, this study was aimed to address this limitation. Data on these conditions/diseases among men and women aged ≥ 18 years were obtained from the fourth National Family Health Survey conducted throughout India between January 2015 and December 2016. The prevalence and prevalence rate per 100,000 population were calculated at the national level and by age group, sex, and type of residence for each state and union territory. The national prevalence of overweight, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes were 14.6%, 3.4%, 5.2%, and 7.1%, respectively. The highest prevalence of these conditions/diseases at the national level was seen among those aged 35-49 years (54 years for men), especially women living in urban areas. In India, 1 out of every 7, 29, 19, and 14 individuals at the national level had overweight, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, respectively-between 2015 and 2016. These results are important for the healthcare system and government policies in the future. Moreover, targeted efforts are required to establish public health strategies for the prevention, management, and treatment of these conditions/diseases throughout India.