Cognitive function is maintained in noninstitutionalized elderly Japanese requiring care with high levels of health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been reported to be associated with cognitive function; however, whether or not this relationship involves causality is uncertain. This study aimed to determine whether HRQOL levels are associated with subsequent changes in cognitive function in elderly people requiring care. METHODS: Participants were 74 community-dwelling elderly people utilizing the long-term care service (69 % women) who underwent physical and psychological examinations at baseline and follow-up. The outcome was 2-year changes in Mini-Mental State Examination (∆MMSE) score. The potential predictor was HRQOL level assessed by the EuroQol 5 dimension (EQ-5D) score (utility value) at baseline; other variables were body mass index (BMI), Barthel index, grip strength, Geriatric Depression Scale, serum albumin, and serum hemoglobin. Associations between EQ-5D and ∆MMSE scores were assessed using correlation analysis, regression analysis, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: Mean age, BMI, and Barthel index at baseline were 81.6 years [standard deviation (SD) 8.2], 21.1 kg/m2 (SD 4.0), and 79 (SD 20), respectively; the mean ∆MMSE score was -2.2 (SD 5.1). EQ-5D was significantly correlated with ∆MMSE (partial r = 0.375, P = 0.0012). The mean ∆MMSE values of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd EQ-5D quartiles were -4.2 (adjusted P = 0.0050), -2.6 (adjusted P = 0.0476), and -2.4 (adjusted P = 0.0298), respectively, which were lower than the -0.1 of the reference 4th quartile. CONCLUSIONS: HRQOL as assessed by EQ-5D is associated with longitudinal cognitive decline in frail elderly people, and cognitive function may be maintained in individuals with high HRQOL levels.

Association between Dietary Intake and Bone Mineral Density in Japanese Postmenopausal Women: The Yokogoshi Cohort Study.

Diet and food intake play an important role in the development of osteoporosis. However, apart from calcium and vitamin D, how nutrients affect bone status is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between dietary intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese postmenopausal women. This 5-year cohort study included 600 community-dwelling women aged 55-74 years at baseline in 2005. Information on demographics, nutrition, and lifestyle was obtained through interviews, and nutritional and dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. BMD measurements were performed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. In 2010, 498 women underwent follow-up BMD examinations. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine associations of predictor variables with BMD, adjusting for confounders. In cross-sectional analyses, coffee or black tea consumption was positively associated with lumbar spine (P = 0.004) and total hip (P = 0.003) BMD, and alcohol intake was positively associated with femoral neck (P = 0.005) and total hip (P = 0.001) BMD. In longitudinal analyses, vitamin K (P = 0.028) and natto (fermented soybeans) (P = 0.023) were positively associated with lumbar spine BMD, and meat or meat product consumption was inversely associated with total hip (P = 0.047) BMD. In conclusion, dietary factors other than calcium and vitamin D intake are predictors of bone mass and bone loss in Japanese postmenopausal women. In particular, natto intake is recommended for preventing postmenopausal bone loss on the basis of current evidence.

High serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels do not retard postmenopausal bone loss in Japanese women: the Yokogoshi study.

UNLABELLED: We conducted a cohort study exploring an association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (serum 25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and 5-year changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in 482 postmenopausal women. High serum 25(OH)D levels do not retard postmenopausal bone loss within the lumbar spine or femoral neck, and high PTH levels potentially increase hip bone loss. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore an association between serum 25(OH)D levels and 5-year changes in BMD in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This 5-year cohort study included 482 women between 55 and 74 years of age who lived in a community in Japan. Medical examinations were conducted in 2005 and 2010. Data were obtained on baseline serum 25(OH)D and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. Outcomes of this study were 5-year changes in BMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Covariates included years since menopause, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle factors, and weight change. Changes in BMDs among quartiles of serum 25(OH)D were compared with analysis of covariance. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 63.1 years, and mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 56.0 nmol/L. Age and decrease in weight were significantly associated with decreases in BMDs of both the lumbar spine (P for trend < 0.001 and =0.002, respectively) and femoral neck (P for trend = 0.026 and <0.001, respectively); low BMI was associated with a decrease in lumbar spine BMD (P for trend < 0.001). No significant associations were found between serum 25(OH)D levels and changes in BMDs. High serum iPTH levels were associated with a greater decrease in femoral neck BMD (P for trend = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: High serum 25(OH)D levels do not retard postmenopausal bone loss within the lumbar spine or femoral neck, and high PTH levels potentially increase hip bone loss.

Nutritional and biochemical parameters associated with 6-year change in bone mineral density in community-dwelling Japanese women aged 69 years and older: The Muramatsu Study.

OBJECTIVE: Predictors of bone loss in elderly Asian women have been unclear. This cohort study aimed to assess lifestyle, nutritional, and biochemical predictors of bone loss in elderly Japanese women. METHODS: Subjects included 389 community-dwelling women aged 69 y and older from the Muramatsu cohort initiated in 2003; follow-up ended in 2009. We obtained data on physical characteristics, osteoporosis treatment (with bisphosphonates or selective estrogen receptor modulators), physical activity, calcium intake, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, undercarboxylated osteocalcin, serum albumin, and bone turnover markers as predictors. The outcome was a 6-y change in forearm BMD (ΔBMD). Osteoporosis treatment was coded as 0 for none, 1 for sometimes, and 2 for always during the follow-up period. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of ΔBMD. RESULTS: Mean age of the subjects was 73.3 y. Mean values of ΔBMD and Δweight were -0.019 g/cm(2) (-5.8%) and -2.2 kg, respectively. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed baseline BMD (ß = -0.137, P < 0.0001), osteoporosis treatment (ß = 0.0068, P = 0.0105), serum albumin levels (ß = 0.0122, P = 0.0319), and Δweight (ß = 0.0015, P = 0.0009) as significant independent predictors of ΔBMD. However, none of the other nutritional or biochemical indices were found to be significant predictors of ΔBMD. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that adequate general nutrition and appropriate osteoporosis medication, rather than specific nutritional regimens, may be effective in preventing bone loss in elderly women.

Determination of whether the association between serum albumin and activities of daily living in frail elderly people is causal.

OBJECTIVES: Serum albumin and activities of daily living (ADL) are associated with each other, but whether the association is causal is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a causal association exists between serum albumin and ADL levels. METHODS: The subjects were 116 frail elderly individuals (34 men and 82 women; mean age 83.0 years). Demographic characteristics, serum albumin, ADL, and handgrip strength were measured at a baseline examination and at a follow-up examination 2 years later. Levels of ADL were assessed with the Barthel Index. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for serum albumin, ADL, and handgrip strength for baseline values and for their 2-year changes (Δ). RESULTS: At baseline, the mean serum albumin concentration was 4.0 g/dL and the total score of the Barthel Index (baseline Barthel Index) was 71.1. The baseline serum albumin level correlated significantly with the baseline Barthel Index (r = 0.287) and baseline handgrip strength (r = 0.315), but not with Δ Barthel Index (r = 0.096) or Δ handgrip strength (r = - 0.058). The Δ serum albumin correlated significantly with Δ Barthel Index (r = 0.296), but not with Δ handgrip strength (r = 0.182), baseline Barthel Index (r = - 0.044), or baseline handgrip strength (r = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: This 2-year cohort study has demonstrated that a decrease in serum albumin levels is associated with a decrease in ADL levels. A third factor may play a role in adversely affecting both serum albumin and ADL levels in frail elderly people.

Physical activity and 5-year changes in physical performance tests and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: the Yokogoshi Study.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of physical activity on musculoskeletal health in older adults is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity and 5-year changes in physical performance tests and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: The design was a 5-year cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were 507 women (55-74 years old) living in a rural community in Japan. Physical activity assessed included housework, farm work, and moderate leisure-time physical activity within the previous week. Measurements at baseline included handgrip strength, walking time (timed "Up & Go" test) and BMD of the femoral neck and vertebrae. Five-year changes in these measures (outcome variables) were compared among groups with different levels of physical activity by analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Women who did not do housework performed worse in changes in handgrip strength (difference=2.22 kg, P=0.0201) and worse in changes in the walking time (difference=0.54 s, P=0.0072) than those who did housework alone. Women who spent at least 9h per week (median=24) doing farm work performed better in changes in handgrip strength (difference=0.28 kg, P=0.0334), but worse in changes in the walking time (difference=0.66 s, P<0.0001) than those who did not do farm work. However, leisure-time activity was not associated with changes in any outcome variable, and none of the physical activities predicted BMD changes. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in housework and farm work are determinants of physical function in postmenopausal women, which may help them maintain independence in daily living.

Low body mass index and low serum albumin are predictive factors for short-term mortality in elderly Japanese requiring home care.

Japan has a rapidly growing elderly population requiring care. This study aimed to clarify risk factors for two-year mortality in such people. Subjects included 205 community-dwelling elderly people, who were approved for care in the 2003 Yamato Study, an epidemiologic study of individuals utilizing the long-term care service system. Demographic characteristics, Barthel index (measuring activities of daily living), grip strength, thigh muscle volume, psychological evaluation, and blood values including hemoglobin, serum albumin, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were investigated at baseline. The average age of subjects was 83.6 (S.D., 8.0) years. Of the 205 subjects, 42 died during the follow-up period. Bivariate analysis showed that older age (p = 0.0015), lower weight (p = 0.0087), lower body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.0001), lower Barthel index (p = 0.0017), lower hemoglobin (p = 0.0180), and lower serum albumin (p = 0.0001) were associated with mortality, but that sex was not (p = 0.1248). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BMI < 17.1 kg/m(2) (adjusted OR = 4.0, p = 0.0007), age >or= 90 years (adjusted OR = 3.3, p = 0.0033), and lower serum albumin levels (adjusted OR = 0.86, p = 0.0007) were independently associated with mortality. We conclude that low BMI and low serum albumin are strong predictors of 2-year mortality in frail elderly individuals, and that nutritional risk should appropriately be evaluated for elderly people requiring home care.

Age-related decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in the frail elderly: a longitudinal study.

Several cross-sectional studies have demonstrated an age-related decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. No prospective studies, however, have been conducted to examine this correlation to date. The objectives of this study were to measure age-related changes in serum 25(OH)D concentrations and to identify predictors of change in serum 25(OH)D concentrations in the frail elderly during a 2-year follow-up period. Eighty elderly subjects (48 women and 32 men) were selected from people utilizing the long-term care insurance system in a community in Japan. All subjects participated in both the baseline and follow-up (2 years later) medical examinations. Baseline measurements included age, height, body mass index, and weight. Additionally, levels of activities of daily living (Barthel index), grip strength, lifestyle, serum 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, total protein, and creatinine concentrations were also determined at baseline. The average age of the subjects was 82.1 years (SD, 8.8). The 2-year decrease in serum 25(OH)D concentrations was calculated to be 6 nmol/l. Multiple linear regression analyses found that the 2-year change (Delta) in the log-transformed 25(OH)D was associated with Deltaalbumin (beta = 0.503, R (2) = 0.288, P < 0.0001), and Deltalog-transformed intact PTH was associated with baseline creatinine (beta = 0.453, R (2) = 0.142, P = 0.0006) and Deltalog-transformed 25(OH)D (beta = -0.512, R (2) = 0.103, P = 0.0037). In conclusion, serum 25(OH)D concentrations decreased in the 2-year follow-up. This information is useful for the maintenance of vitamin D status and prevention of vitamin D insufficiency in the frail elderly.

The usefulness of day-service in maintaining general nutritional status in elderly Japanese: a longitudinal study.

Day-service, commuting service for elderly people requiring care at home, is one healthcare option in Japan. To date, however, there exist no studies that have examined the effects of day-service use on health outcomes in Japan. The objective of the present longitudinal study was to determine whether there is an association between day-service use and various physical and mental health outcomes in elderly people requiring care. The subjects were 61 elderly persons who required between 25 and 49 min of assistance per day and used long-term care insurance. Measurements included demographic characteristics, activities of daily living, frequency of day-service use, body weight, height, grip strength, thigh muscle volume, degree of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), the mini-mental state examination, and serum albumin and blood hemoglobin levels in the baseline and follow-up surveys two years later. In the day-service user group, the mean changes in serum albumin concentrations using day-service once, twice and three < or = times/week were -0.2, -0.3, and 0 g/dl, respectively, and the mean changes in blood hemoglobin were -0.7, -0.5, and 0.2 g/dl, respectively. The two-year change in serum albumin concentrations was less (p = 0.024) in subjects using day-service "three < or = times" (0 g/dl) than "twice" (-0.3 g/dl). The two-year change in blood hemoglobin was also less (p = 0.043) in subjects using day-service "three < or = times" (0.2 g/dl) than "twice" (-0.5 g/dl). The present study has shown that frequent use of day-service is useful in maintaining general nutritional status in elderly people.

Magnesium intake and bone mineral density in young adult women.

The purpose of this study was to determine a possible association between magnesium intake and bone mass in young adult women. Subjects consisted of 106 female university students aged 19-25 years. Calcium and magnesium intakes were evaluated using the duplicate sampling method on three weekdays. Spinal and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Mean magnesium intake was 139 mg/day (median 127, SD 54). The correlation between magnesium intake and BMD was of borderline significance (r = 0.175, p = 0.073) for the femoral neck, and was insignificant (r = 0.084, p = 0.391) for the lumbar spine. However, the partial correlation between magnesium intake and BMD of the femoral neck (r = -0.027, p = 0.788), adjusted for calcium intake, was not significant. In conclusion, we did not find an association between magnesium intake and bone mass in young women, and calcium intake needs to be included as an important, potential confounding factor when exploring such an association.

Threshold value of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in relation to elevated serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in elderly Japanese women.

This study was designed to determine the threshold value for 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in relation to elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in elderly Japanese women. The subjects were 582 noninstitutionalized, ambulant women who lived in a community in Japan. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined using the Nichols Advantage chemiluminescent assay, and serum intact PTH concentrations were determined with a two-site immunoradiometric assay. Demographic characteristics, calcium intake, and serum 1,25(OH)(2)D levels were also determined. The average age, body mass index (BMI), and calcium intake of the subjects were 74.5 years (SD 4.5), 23.3 kg/m(2) (SD 3.4), and 579 mg/day (SD 248), respectively. The serum log-transformed intact PTH concentration was significantly predicted by the serum 25(OH)D concentration (r = -0.147, P = 0.0004), but not by age, BMI, the serum log-transformed 1,25(OH)(2)D concentration, or the log-transformed calcium intake. Analysis of variance with Dunnett's multiple comparisons showed that mean serum intact PTH concentrations with serum 25(OH)D concentrations less than 30 nmol/l (mean intact PTH = 5.89 pmol/l, P < 0.0001) and in the range 30-39 nmol/l (mean intact PTH = 4.54 pmol/l, P = 0.0067) were significantly higher than mean intact PTH concentrations for serum 25(OH)D concentrations greater than 50 nmol/l (mean intact PTH = 3.65 pmol/l, the baseline level), but the mean serum intact PTH concentration for 25(OH)D concentrations in the range 40-49 nmol/l (mean intact PTH = 3.70 pmol/l, P = 0.9975) was not. We conclude that serum 25(OH)D for ambulant elderly Japanese women should be maintained at 40 nmol/l or higher.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and activities of daily living in noninstitutionalized elderly Japanese requiring care.

To date, no study has investigated the nutritional status of vitamin D in frail elderly people living at home. The purposes of this study were to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and associated factors in noninstitutionalized elderly people who had various levels of physical disability, and to propose an adequate vitamin D nutritional status for the elderly by interpreting the serum 25(OH)D levels in relation to serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in this population. Health examinations were conducted in the winter and summer of 2003. The subjects were 143 elderly people in the winter, and 120 elderly people in the summer, who all used the long-term care insurance system at home. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined with a chemiluminescence protein-binding assay, and serum intact PTH concentrations were determined with an immunoradiometric assay. The subjects' disease histories and lifestyle information were obtained through an interview. Activities of daily living (ADL) levels were evaluated using the Barthel index, and grip strength was measured with a digital hand dynamometer. Average serum 25(OH)D levels in the winter and summer were 54.2 nmol/l (SD 29.0) and 53.3 nmol/l (SD 32.3), respectively, and intact PTH concentrations in the winter and summer were 4.2 pmol/l (SD 1.8) and 4.3 pmol/l (SD 1.8), respectively. The proportion of people who had a low 25(OH)D (<30 nmol/l) and high intact PTH levels (>6.9 pmol/l) were 15%-20% and 8%, respectively. Significant predictors of low serum 25(OH)D concentrations were low ADL levels, female sex, and low fish consumption in both seasons. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations of less than 50 nmol/l were associated with elevated serum intact PTH concentrations. In conclusion, elderly people requiring care at home are at high risk of hypovitaminosis D, and their low serum 25(OH)D levels are mainly associated with low ADL levels. In addition, maintenance of serum 25(OH)D concentrations above 50 nmol/l may prevent hypovitaminosis D-induced hyperparathyroidism.

Nutrition, mild hyperparathyroidism, and bone mineral density in young Japanese women.

BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of poor nutrition on the bones of young Asian women have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations of vitamin D nutrition, calcium intake, and other nutrients with bone metabolism and bone mass in young Japanese women. DESIGN: The subjects were 108 female college students aged 19-25 y. Dietary nutrients were measured by using the duplicate sampling method on 3 weekdays. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone, and bone turnover markers were also measured. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and femur was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The proportions of the subjects with low 25(OH)D (< 30 nmol/L) and high intact parathyroid hormone (> or = 6.9 pmol/L) concentrations were 32.4% and 15.7%, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations (P = 0.0265) and calcium intake (P = 0.0103) were inversely associated with serum intact parathyroid hormone. In addition to weight and physical activity, the presence of mild hyperparathyroidism was associated with a low BMD of the lumbar spine (P = 0.0062) and the femoral neck (P = 0.0250), and a low calcium intake was associated with a low BMD of the femoral neck (P = 0.0044). CONCLUSIONS: Low calcium intake (based on low BMD of the femoral neck only) and mild hyperparathyroidism (based on low BMD of both the femoral neck and lumbar spine), partly explained by low vitamin D nutrition and a low calcium intake, are important predictors of low BMD in young Japanese women. Effects of poor nutrition and mild hyperparathyroidism on bone peak bone mass in young women should be further investigated in longitudinal studies.

Intakes of calcium and other nutrients related to bone health in Japanese female college students: a study using the duplicate portion sampling method.

The purposes of this study were to determine intakes of nutrients related to bone health, such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and protein, in Japanese female college students, using the duplicate portion sampling method, and to identify possible lifestyle factors explaining their calcium intakes. Subjects were 106 Japanese female college students aged 19-23 years. All foods in the duplicate portions, as eaten by the subjects during a three-weekday period, were collected. The minerals and protein in the food samples were analyzed. Life-style information was obtained by interview. Levels of cognitive eating restraint (CER) were assessed by the Three-Factor Eating Inventory. Average intakes of dietary Ca, P, Na, K, and protein were 380 (SD 209) mg/day, 649 (SD 212) mg/day, 2,535 (SD 847) mg/day, 1,108 (SD 429) mg/day, and 41.7 (SD 12.6) g/day, respectively. Ca intake was significantly associated with the frequency of milk intake (R2 = 0.278, p < 0.001), intake of other dairy products (R2 = 0.338, p < 0.001), and meal skipping (R2 = 0.161, p < 0.001), but not with CER score (p = 0.378). Female college students are at high risk for poor Ca nutrition. Low intake of nutrients relevant to bone health is considered to adversely affect bone metabolism in young women.

Health characteristics of elderly Japanese requiring care at home.

The number of elderly subjects requiring care is rapidly increasing, however, their health status has not been well studied. The purposes of this study were to describe the health characteristics of the elderly at home who were using long-term care insurance, and to clarify factors that influence dependence for activities of daily living (ADL). The subjects were 194 elderly people living at home, who were approved for care. The items surveyed were the demographic characteristics, care level (or level of dependence for ADL), Barthel index, grip strength, thigh muscle volume, cognitive impairment using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), depressed mood using the geriatric depression scale (GDS-15), and serum albumin and hemoglobin levels. The grip strength (p=0.0001), thigh muscle volume (p=0.0030), MMSE score (p=< 0.0001) and serum albumin level (p= < 0.0001) decreased, while the GDS-15 score (p=0.0142) increased with deteriorating care levels. The proportion of subjects not requiring assistance for the items "bathing" and "stair-climbing" in the Barthel index was markedly low in the subjects belonging to the relatively low (mild) care levels. The logistic regression analysis showed that factors associated with dependence for "bathing" and "stair-climbing" were the use of day-services, male sex, decline of grip strength, and a high GDS-15 score. In conclusion, it is important to strengthen the muscles of the upper half of the body, and to correct depressed moods for maintaining levels of ADL in the elderly requiring care at home.