[Effect of lifestyle and health behavior on neutrophil function].

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the relationships of neutrophil functions with lifestyle factors (namely, subjective stress, exercise habits, smoking habits, alcohol-drinking habits, and self-perceived status health) and health behavior in the Chinese urban elderly. METHODS: We performed a health survey of the elderly aged 65 years or older living in Tianjin. The subjects were 42 males (69.1 ± 4.1 years old) and 41 females (69.1 ± 4.1 years old). Investigations of subjective stress, exercise habits, smoking habits, alcohol-drinking habits, and self-perceived health status were performed. The phagocytosis and superoxide productivity of neutrophils were measured by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction method. In addition, leukocyte count and serum total protein (TP) level were examined. RESULTS: The investigations revealed the associations of health behavior (p<0.05) and self-perceived health (p<0.10) with the balance between phagocytosis and subsequent superoxide production. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that there were correlations of neutrophil functions with lifestyle factors (subjective stress, exercise habits, smoking habits, alcohol-drinking habits, and self-perceived status health) and health behavior in the Chinese urban elderly.

[Relationship between lifestyle and oral health in Chinese elderly].

OBJECTIVE: Oral health is very important particularly for elderly to live happily. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between lifestyle and oral health in Chinese elderly. METHODS: The subjects were 96 men (mean +/- SD: 70.1 +/- 4.9) and 92 women (70.7 +/- 5.4). Oral health status was evaluated according to the numbers of remaining, intact, treated, and untreated teeth and score in WHO's CPI code. By carrying out a questionnaire survey, we evaluated lifestyle factors, such as stress (SCL-S), smoking habits, drinking habit, sleeping hours, sports, snack habit, and tooth brushing habit. Logistic regression analysis was used in analyzing the data. RESULTS: By multi-logistic regression analysis, men who smoke were more likely to have a lower CPI score than those who do not {odds ratio (OR) = 4.69, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.79-27.89, p < .10}. Men who brush their teeth less than once a day are less likely to have a lower CPI score than those who brush their teeth more than twice a day (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.09-1.22, p < .10). On the other hand, women who experience much stress are more likely to have a lower CPI score than women who experience little stress (OR = 5.59, 95% CI = 1.29-24.15, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that smoking may affect oral health conditions in men, whereas stress may affect oral health conditions in women. The reduction in stress and abstinence from smoking are important in maintaining good oral health in Chinese elderly.