ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between aortic artery distensibility, expressed by pulse pressure (PP) and autonomic nervous system function expressed by heart rate variability (HRV), among elders. During 2009, 469 individuals (50 % males, mean age 75 ± 6 years old), permanent inhabitants of Ikaria Island, were enrolled. Among several sociodemographic, bioclinical, lifestyle, and dietary characteristics, and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular risk, a digital, standard, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and 5-min ECG monitoring were recorded. Smart ECG measurement and interpretation programs were used for the automated measurement and interpretation of ECG intervals. Autonomic nervous system tone was estimated with the HRV-standard deviation of normal to normal intervals (SDNN)-in surface ECG. Pulse pressure was calculated as the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Pulse pressure showed a positive association with age, systolic blood pressure levels, and presence of diabetes mellitus (all P < 0.001) and an inverse correlation with logSDNN. Multiadjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that 10-unit increase in SDNN values decreases by 26 % the likelihood of having PP above 70 mmHg; when the analysis was stratified according to hypertension status, the relationship remained significant only among non-hypertensive individuals. These data support the hypothesis that cardiac sympathovagal disturbance correlates with impaired elasticity properties of aorta, indicating parallel impairment in cardiac autonomic modulation and mechanical vessel wall properties in elderly non-hypertensive individuals.
Subject(s)
Aging , Aorta/physiopathology , Autonomic Nervous System/physiopathology , Blood Pressure , Heart Rate , Heart/innervation , Vascular Stiffness , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blood Pressure Determination , Chi-Square Distribution , Compliance , Cross-Sectional Studies , Electrocardiography , Female , Greece , Humans , Linear Models , Logistic Models , Longevity , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Odds Ratio , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Background. The aim was to examine the association of depressive symptoms with fish eating habits, in elderly individuals. Methods. From June to October of 2009, we studied 330 men and 343 women, aged 65 to 100 years, permanent inhabitants of Ikaria Island. Among several characteristics, depression was assessed with the Geriatric Depression scale (GDS range 0-15), while dietary habits through a valid semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Results. Women had significantly higher values of the GDS compared to men (4.8 ± 3.5 versus 3.3 ± 3.1, P = .001). Participants in the upper tertile of depression scale ate less frequent fish and consumed higher quantities of alcohol, compared to those in the lowest tertile (all P < .05). Regarding fish consumption, 50% of the individuals reported consuming 1-2 times weekly, 32% 3 to 5 times weekly, 11% 2-3 times monthly, while the rest reported rare (4.5%) and everyday (1.2%) consumption. Logistic regression showed that increased fish consumption (>3 times/week versus never/rare) was inversely associated with the odds of having GDS greater the median value (i.e., 4) (odds ratio = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.61), after controlling for several cofounders. Conclusion. Frequent fish consumption in elderly seems to moderate depression mood.
