Associations of eating out and dietary diversity with mild cognitive impairment among in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Dementia is a critical later life health issue that occurs among members of aging societies. This study examined the relationships between eating out, dietary diversity, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We analyzed data from 597 older adults (median age 73.0 years [interquartile range 69.0-78.0] and 62.6% females). We applied the Food Frequency Score (FFS) to evaluate diet variety and the weekly consumption frequencies of ten food items were determined. The Functional Assessment Tool from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology was used to evaluate MCI. Finally, we asked the participants how often they ate out each month; those who replied 'none' were categorized into the "non-eating out" group. Results: The overall prevalence of MCI was 122 (20.4%), with a higher prevalence in the low dietary diversity group than in the high dietary diversity group (28.6% vs. 18.6%). After adjusting for covariates, the participants who self-described as not eating out were independently associated with low dietary diversity (odds ratio [OR]: 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-3.20), while low dietary diversity was associated with MCI (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.02-2.87). Structural equation models revealed that not eating out had no direct effect on MCI but was associated with MCI via low dietary diversity (root mean square error of approximation = 0.030, goodness-of-fit index=0.999, and adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.984). Conclusions: Although non-eating out may not have a direct effect on MCI, an indirect relationship may exist between eating-out habits and MCI via dietary diversity status.

Independent Association between Cognitive Frailty and Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Although arterial stiffness has been suggested to be associated with poor physical function and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), its association with cognitive frailty (CF), a comorbidity of both, is unclear. This study aims to examine the association between CF and arterial stiffness in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 511 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older (mean age 73.6 ± 6.2 years, 63.6% women), who participated in a community cohort study (Tarumizu Study, 2019), was conducted. Poor physical function was defined as either slowness (walking speed <1.0 m/s) or weakness (grip strength <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women). MCI was defined by the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Functional Assessment Tool as a decline of at least 1.5 standard deviation from age- and education-adjusted baseline values in any one of the four cognitive domains (memory, attention, executive, and information processing). CF was defined as the combination of poor physical function and MCI. Arterial stiffness was measured using the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI), and the average of the left and right sides (mean CAVI) was used. RESULTS: Multinomial logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates was performed with the four groups of robust, poor physical function, MCI, and CF as dependent variables and mean CAVI as an independent variable. Using the robust group as reference, the poor physical function and MCI groups showed no significant relationship with the mean CAVI. The mean CAVI was significantly higher in the CF group (odds ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-2.29). CONCLUSION: A significant association was found between CF and the higher CAVI (progression of arterial stiffness). Careful observation and control of CAVI, which is also an indicator of arterial stiffness, may be a potential target for preventive interventions for CF.

Association between dietary diversity and chronic kidney disease in community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVE: The present study examined whether dietary diversity is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. METHODS: Participants comprised 8,195 older adults (mean age was 74.0 ± 5.6 years; 42.7% were men) in this cross-sectional study. In this study, CKD was defined as estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. Diet variety was assessed using the Food Frequency Score (FFS) (maximum, 30 points). The FFS assessed the one-week consumption frequency of ten foods (meat, fish/shellfish, eggs, milk, soybean products, green & yellow vegetables, potatoes, fruits, seafood, and fats & oil). Participants with an FFS of 16 or fewer points were defined as having low dietary diversity. RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD was 376 (4.6%), and the low dietary diversity group had higher prevalence (5.6%) compared with the high and low dietary diversity group (4.3%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed low dietary diversity was associated with CKD in older adults (OR 1.30, 95%CI 1.01-1.68). Stratified analysis showed that low dietary diversity was independently associated with CKD (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.07-1.91) in older adults with hypertension, but not in adults without hypertension (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.54-1.64). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This cross-sectional study revealed that low dietary diversity was associated with CKD among older adults. Furthermore, low dietary diversity was associated with CKD among older adults with hypertension.

Association between dietary diversity and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults.

AIM: The present study aimed to examine whether dietary diversity is associated with cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI), in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a general community setting. MCI and global cognitive impairment (GCI) were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Functional Assessment Tool, which are multicomponent neurocognitive tests that include memory attention, executive function and processing speed. Dietary diversity was assessed using the diet variety score. The diet variety score assessed the 1-week consumption frequency of 10 food groups, and either 0 or 1 point was allocated to each category based on the following responses: (i) "eat almost every day" (1 point); and (ii) "not eaten almost daily" (0 points). Older adults with a diet variety score of ≥3 points were defined as having high dietary diversity. RESULTS: Data included 8987 older adults (mean age 73.9 ± 5.5 years; men 44.3%). The overall prevalences of MCI and GCI were 17.1% (n = 1538) and 8.4% (n = 753), respectively. The proportion of patients with a high dietary diversity was 69.9% (n = 6286). Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed high dietary diversity was associated with MCI (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.94) and GCI (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65-0.92) after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: This study had a large sample size of older Japanese adults, and showed that high dietary diversity was associated with a lower proportion of MCI and GCI among older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 75-81.

Cross-sectional associations between sedentary time with cognitive engagement and brain volume among community-dwelling vulnerable older adults.

AIMS: Vulnerable older adults tend to decrease physical activity (PA) and increase sedentary time (ST). Previous research on the associations between ST and brain volume have yielded inconsistent findings, without considering the impact of cognitive engagement (CE) on cognitive function. We aimed to examine the association between ST with CE and brain volume. METHODS: A structural magnetic resonance imaging survey was conducted among community-dwelling vulnerable older adults. Brain volumetric measurements were obtained using 3T magnetic resonance imaging and pre-processed using FreeSurfer. ST with low or high CE was assessed using a 12-item questionnaire. PA was assessed by the frequency of light and moderate levels of physical exercise according to the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. Participants were categorized into a low PA group and a moderate-to-high PA group. RESULTS: Among 91 participants (83.1 ± 5.2 years old, 61.5% female), 26 were low PA. The overall sample and moderate-to-high PA group did not show significant positive associations with brain volume for ST with high CE. In the low PA group, isotemporal substitution models showed that replacing ST with low CE by ST with high CE was significantly associated with increased brain volume in some areas, including the rostral and caudal anterior cingulate (ß = 0.486-0.618, all P < 0.05, adjusted R2 = 0.344-0.663). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that replacing ST with low CE by ST with high CE is positively associated with brain volume in vulnerable older adults with low PA. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 82-89.

Urinary incontinence and life-space activity/mobility additively increase the risk of incident disability among older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of a combination of urinary incontinence (UI) and life-space activity/mobility with the risk of incident disability among community-dwelling older adults. STUDY DESIGN: The participants were 12,808 older adults for the cross-sectional study and 12,516 older adults who completed the follow-up assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: UI was assessed using a questionnaire. Life-space activity/mobility was evaluated using total, physical, and social scores on the Active Mobility Index (AMI). Participants were classified into four groups (high AMI total score + no UI; high AMI total score + UI; low AMI total score + no UI; low AMI total score + UI). Incident disability was extracted from the Japanese Long-Term Care System. RESULTS: During the 24-month follow-up, 562 participants (4.5 %) developed disability. Those with a low AMI score + no UI (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95 % confidence interval, 1.07-1.71) and those with a low AMI score + UI (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95 % confidence interval, 1.56-2.56) had a higher risk of incident disability than those with a high AMI score + no UI in the follow-up analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of UI and low AMI score was associated with an increased risk of incident disability, whereas having UI but a high AMI score was not associated with an increased risk of incident disability. Our findings may help identify older adults at high risk of developing disabilities.

Effect of dietary diversity on incident of disability in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia: A 40-month follow-up longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a clinical issue in older adults that leads to serious adverse health outcomes, including disability. The present study investigated whether dietary diversity affects the incidence of disability in older adults with sarcopenia. METHOD: Participants were 759 Japanese older adults with sarcopenia (mean age 77.2 ± 6.0 years; 44.4 % men) who were aged ≥65 years at the time of the examination. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the recommendations of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2. Dietary diversity was assessed using a diet variety score. This diet variety score assessed the one-week consumption frequency of ten food groups, according to the following responses: "eat almost every day" (1 point), or "not eaten almost daily" (0 points). Older adults with a diet variety score of 3 or more points were defined as having high dietary diversity. Incident disability was certified by long-term care insurance (mean follow-up duration 32 months). RESULTS: The cumulative disability incidence rates in the older adults with low dietary diversity and high dietary diversity were 23.3 % and 16.9 %, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed high dietary diversity was associated with a lower risk of incident disability in older adults with sarcopenia (hazard ratio 0.66, 95 % confidence interval 0.47-0.92; p = 0.015), after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal study revealed that high dietary diversity is associated with a lower risk of incident disability among sarcopenic Japanese older adults.

Overlapping status of frailty and fear of falling: an elevated risk of incident disability in community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: Although overlapping frailty and fear of falling (FoF) are likely to increase with population aging, the combined effect of frailty and FoF on incident disability is not yet well understood. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to examine whether frailty combined with FoF increased the risk of incident disability in older adults. Our secondary purpose was to clarify the synergistic effect of frailty and FoF on incident disability. METHODS: This is a prospective study. Participants were 9372 older adults (mean age 73.5 years). Frailty status was assessed using the Japanese Cardiovascular Health Study index, and FoF was measured using two closed questions. Incident disability was prospectively monitored by their long-term care insurance records. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (mean duration 23.4 months), 487 (5.2%) participants developed disability. The proportion of incident disability linearly increased according to FoF level regardless of baseline frailty status. Frail participants with FoF had a higher risk of incident disability than those with frailty only or neither (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95-3.54). Frailty in combination with excessive FoF further increased the risk of incident disability (adjusted HR 4.30, 95% CI 2.56-7.23) although no synergistic effect was observed (relative excessive risk due to interaction 1.69, 95% CI - 0.55, 3.93). CONCLUSION: The overlapping status of frailty and FoF, especially excessive FoF, increases the risk of incident disability in older adults.

Self-Monitoring of Physical, Cognitive, and Social Activities and 2-Year Disability Onset in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Self-monitoring of physical, cognitive, and social activities may be a means of helping older adults to adopt or maintain an active lifestyle, but its effect on disability onset is unknown. This study aimed to examine the association between self-monitoring of the activities and disability onset in older adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal, observational study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: General community setting. Participants were 1399 older adults aged ≥75 years (mean age: 79.3 ± 3.6 years; 48.1% female). METHODS: Participants conducted self-monitoring of physical, cognitive, and social activities using a specialized booklet and a pedometer. Level of engagement in self-monitoring was assessed based on the percentage of days in a year for which activities were recorded: no-engagement group (0% of days recorded; n = 438), midlevel-engagement group (0.1-89.9% of days recorded; n = 416), and high-engagement group (≥90% of days recorded; n = 545). Disability onset was determined by whether the participants were awarded a long-term care insurance certification over the 2 years after the explanation of the booklet and pedometer. RESULTS: Cox proportional hazard regression models showed that the high-engagement group, when compared to the no-engagement group, had a significantly reduced hazard ratio (HR) for disability onset, after adjustment for covariates (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.86, P = .010). After propensity score adjustment through inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM), the high-engagement group's HR remained significantly lower (IPTW: HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.86, P = .010; PSM: HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.96, P = .032). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Self-monitoring of physical, cognitive, and social activities reduces the risk of 2-year disability onset in community-dwelling older adults. Further studies in other settings are needed to examine whether self-monitoring of activities can be a population approach for the primary prevention of disability in other settings.

Association between dietary diversity and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether dietary diversity is associated with sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional large cohort data set from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes. Data from 9080 older adults (mean age 74 ± 5.6 y; 44.4% were men) were included in this cross-sectional study. Sarcopenia was assessed using muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance represented by gait speed. We assessed 1-wk consumption frequency of food types, including meat, fish/shellfish, eggs, milk, soybean products, green and yellow vegetables, potatoes, fruits, seaweeds, fats, and oil. Consumption frequency was allotted to each category for the following responses: eat almost every day, eat 3 or 4 /wkd, eat 1 or 2 d/wk, and hardly ever eat. Poor dietary diversity was defined as those who responded hardly ever eat for any of the 10 foods. RESULTS: This study revealed that 2647 participants (29.2%) had poor dietary diversity. Poor dietary diversity was associated with confirmed sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.96) and severe sarcopenia (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.08-2.39). Furthermore, poor dietary diversity of low-protein foods was significantly associated with sarcopenia (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.13-2.20) as well as poor dietary diversity of high-protein foods (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.12-1.92). CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study revealed that poor dietary diversity was associated with sarcopenia among older adults. Ingestion of low-protein foods and high-protein foods is infrequently associated with sarcopenia and ingestion of high-protein foods.

Associations between Active Mobility Index and objectively measured physical activity among older adults.

BACKGROUND: Active mobility index (AMI) is a questionnaire to assess going-out behavior with physical and social activity. The association between AMI scores and objectively measured physical activity (PA) in older adults is unknown. METHODS: Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 70 years participated in an examination and wore a triaxial accelerometer for seven or more days. The accelerometer measured the time of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and light intensity PA (LPA), and step counts. The AMI assessed life space (distance from the respondent's home: < 1, 1-10, or > 10 km) and related activities during the previous month. The AMI total, physical, and social scores were calculated. RESULTS: The analyzed data were 2499 participants (mean age: 75.5 ± 4.0 years; 54.4% female). Comparing PA among quartile groups of each AMI score, higher AMI total and physical score groups were associated with higher MVPA, LPA, and step counts (all P < 0.01). The Q4 group of AMI social scores showed significantly higher LPA and step counts than the Q1 and Q2 groups (P < 0.01). The logistic regression model showed higher score groups of AMI total and physical scores associated with increased adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of meeting recommended PA, ≥ 150 min/week of MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with higher AMI total and physical scores, engaged in more PA. Future studies can use the present findings when estimating PA in older adults from AMI scores and examining the association between AMI scores and health outcomes.

The association of white matter hyperintensities with motoric cognitive risk syndrome.

Background: The motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) was characterized by slow gait and subjective cognitive complaints. MCR was associated with brain structural changes. However, the association between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and MCR was unclear and the aim of this study was to examine this association. Material and methods: The study participants were 1227 older adults (mean age: 72.0 ± 6.0 yrs, women: 52.6%). We collected magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to assess WMH. To assess MCR, data on gait speed and subjective cognitive complaints were collected. Demographical and medical data was collected as covariates. Results: Among participants, the proportion of MCR was 5.0% (n = 61) and severe WMH was 16.8% (n = 206). From logistic regression analysis, severe WMH associated with MCR even when adjusted for covariates (odds ratio 2.18 [95% confidential interval 1.15-4.16], p = 0.017). This association was observed in subgroups stratified by the participants' characteristics: higher age, not having fall history, not obesity, not being physical inactivity and not having depressive symptom. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that vascular pathophysiological changes in the brain were associated with MCR. The association was pronounced by several factors. Further evaluation was required to clarify pathophysiology of MCR.

Associations of the Alpha-Actinin Three Genotype with Bone and Muscle Mass Loss among Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Bone and muscle mass loss are known to occur simultaneously. The alpha-actinin three (ACTN3) genotype has been shown to potentially affect bone and muscle mass. In this study, we investigated the association between the ACTN3 genotype and bone and muscle mass loss in community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 years. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of data from 295 participants who participated in a community health checkup. The ACTN3 genotypes were classified as RR, RX, or XX types. Bone mass loss was defined as a calcaneal speed of sound T-score of <−1.32 and <−1.37, and muscle mass loss was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle index of <7.0 kg/m2 and <5.7 kg/m2 in men and women, respectively. The percentages of XX, RX, and RR in the combined bone and muscle mass loss group were 33.8%, 30.8%, and 16.7%, respectively, with a significantly higher trend for XX. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that XX had an odds ratio of 3.00 (95% confidence interval 1.05−8.54) of being in the combined bone and muscle mass loss group compared to the RR group (covariates: age, sex, grip strength, and medications). The ACTN3 genotype of XX is associated with a higher rate of comorbid bone and muscle mass loss. Therefore, ACTN3 genotyping should be considered for preventing combined bone and muscle mass loss.

Relationship between Diabetes Status and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with risk of sarcopenia. However, whether glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are associated with sarcopenia has not reached a consensus. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between diabetes status based on HbA1c levels and sarcopenia indices in community-dwelling older adults stratified by body mass index (BMI) status. DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: General community setting. The participants were 18,940 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 73.7 ± 5.7 years, 45.0% men). METHODS: According to their medical history for diabetes mellitus and blood HbA1c levels the participants were classified into the control group (no DM history and HbA1c ≤5.6%), pre-DM group (no DM history and HbA1c 5.7%-6.4%), or DM group (DM history or HbA1c ≥6.5%). For assessments of sarcopenia, muscle mass and muscle strength were measured based on the clinical definition. RESULTS: A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the DM group did not have a clear association with sarcopenia [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82-1.38] or low muscle mass (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.94-1.39), and was associated with low muscle strength (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08-1.36) in the adjusted model including BMI. There was a positive correlation between BMI and skeletal muscle index (r = 0.57, P < .001). Stratified by BMI, the DM group was associated with low muscle mass among the underweight participants (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.03-3.39), and low muscle strength among the overweight participants (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.43). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Diabetes status was associated with low muscle mass and low muscle strength, and the association depended on BMI. Our findings could be helpful for identifying older adults with a high risk of sarcopenia, although further study is needed.

Association between Active Mobility Index and sarcopenia among Japanese community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: A physically active lifestyle, including physical and social activities, is needed to maintain muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. A large life space characterizes an active lifestyle, but the association between life space with physical and social activities and sarcopenia is unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between life space with physical and social activities, assessed using the Active Mobility Index (AMI), and sarcopenia in community-dwelling Japanese older adults. METHODS: This study used a large, cross-sectional cohort dataset from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes (NCGG-SGS). Between 2013 and 2018, community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥60 years participated in the NCGG-SGS. Sarcopenia was identified by measuring muscle mass and strength based on the clinical definition. The secondary outcomes were sarcopenia indices, including lower muscle mass, lower muscle strength, and lower gait speed. AMI assessed life space with physical and social activities in each life space (distance from the respondent's home: <1, 1-10, or >10 km) during the past month by noting the frequency, primary purpose, type of transportation, interaction with others, and physical activity. The associations between quartile groups of AMI total, physical, and social scores and sarcopenia were examined using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: From all participants, 21 644 participants (age 73.5 ± 5.8 years, 54.7% female) were included in the analysis. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 4.1% (n = 894). For the AMI total score, referred to Q1 group, Q3 and Q4 groups were significantly associated with a reduced odds ratio (OR) of sarcopenia after adjusting for all covariates [adjusted OR (aOR) (95% confidence interval), Q3: 0.71 (0.57-0.89), Q4: 0.69 (0.55-0.87)]. Q3 and Q4 of the AMI physical score groups were also significantly associated with reduced OR of sarcopenia [Q3: 0.71 (0.57-0.89), Q4: 0.67 (0.54-0.84)]. For the AMI social score, only the Q4 group showed reduced OR for sarcopenia [0.79 (0.62-1.01)]. Q3 and Q4 of the AMI total score and physical score were associated with reduced OR of all sarcopenia indices (aOR 0.55-0.82, all P < 0.05), whereas Q4 of AMI social score was associated with all indices (aOR 0.85-0.81, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The extent of life space with physical activity was associated with sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. A longitudinal study is needed to examine whether life space with physical and social activities affect the development of sarcopenia.

Association of self-rated health with type and frequency of social interaction during the declaration of COVID-19 state of emergency among Japanese community-dwelling oldest-old adults.

AIM: To investigate whether the type and frequency of social interaction during the state of emergency due to coronavirus disease were associated with self-rated health (SRH) after the state of emergency. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional study were collected for 889 oldest-old adults in Bibai City, Hokkaido, Japan. In total, 612 participants (mean age: 83.0 ± 4.3 years; women: 51.8%) were included in the analysis, taking biological sex into account. The self-reported questionnaire included questions about demographic variables, SRH (July 2020, after the emergency), and the type and frequency of social interaction (March 2020, during the state of emergency). RESULTS: There was no significant association between social interaction and SRH in men (P > 0.05). Women who had social interactions (both face-to-face and non-face-to-face) more than once a week during the state of emergency reported higher SRH after the emergency than those who did not (odds ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.07-4.41). CONCLUSIONS: Having both types of interaction more than once a week during the state of emergency was related to higher SRH after the emergency among oldest-old women. It is suggested that having opportunities for both types of interaction at least once a week would potentially be beneficial for high SRH in women, even in situations where the declaration of a state of emergency restricts face-to-face interaction. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 405-411.

Association between cognitive frailty and higher-level competence among community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between cognitive frailty (CF) and higher-level competence among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Data from 871 older adults (aged ≥ 65 years, mean age 74.3 years, 61.5% women) who had participated in a community-based health check survey (Tarumizu Study 2018-2019) were analyzed. CF was defined as comorbid physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We defined physical frailty as either slow walking speed or poor grip strength. MCI was defined as values below the age- and education-adjusted reference threshold in several tests. Participants were categorized into four groups: robust, physical frailty, MCI, and CF. Higher-level competence was assessed using the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC). The JST-IC consists of 16 items and four subscales (technology usage, information practice, life management and social engagement). The bottom 20-30% score of the JST-IC and each subscale corresponded to poor higher-level competence. RESULTS: The prevalence of CF was 14.4%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, CF was significantly associated with poor higher-level competence (odds ratio 1.92, 95% confidence interval 1.18-3.13) after adjusting for covariates. Using a similar analysis to assess the JST-IC subscales, CF was associated with limitations on technology usage (odds ratio 2.29, 95% confidence interval 1.36-3.85) and low social engagement (odds ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.00-2.61). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that CF is associated with poor higher-level competence, especially limitations on technology usage and low social engagement.

Impact of social frailty on the association between driving status and disability in older adults.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the association between driving status and disability in older adults depends on social frailty. METHODS: This is a prospective study in a community setting. Participants were surveyed baseline conditions of social frailty and driving status (n = 4642, mean age: 71.7 years). Social frailty was defined according to criteria: going out less frequently, rarely visiting friends, feeling unhelpful to friends or family, living alone, and not talking with someone every day. Incident disability was prospectively followed up by their long-term care insurance records. RESULTS: Of the participants, 3348 (72.1%) were current drivers. The occurrence of the social frail group, including pre-frail and frail conditions, was higher in the not driving group (55.3%) than the driving group (40.5%). The follow-up period was 60 months (mean: 56.0 months), during which 105 participants (2.3%) died, 58 participants (1.2%) moved out of the city, and 541 participants (11.7%) had incident disability. Both driving status and social frailty were associated with incident disability adjusted for covariates (not driving: hazards ratio [HR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.32; social frailty: HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.17-1.67). Driving status was associated with incident disability in the social frail group (not driving: HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.03-1.77) but not in the non-social frail group (not driving: HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.86-1.74). CONCLUSIONS: Not driving and social frailty were independently associated with disability. Further, the association between driving status and disability depended on social frailty.

Associations of alpha-actinin-3 genotype with thigh muscle volume and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia or pre-sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship of the ACTN3 genotype with thigh muscle volume and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia or pre-sarcopenia. METHODS: Data from 64 older Japanese adults (mean age 74.4 ± 6.9 years, women 71.9%) with sarcopenia or pre-sarcopenia were analyzed. Sarcopenia and pre-sarcopenia were defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. We collected oral mucosa samples to determine the ACTN3 genotype. Thigh muscle volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Physical performance was assessed using the usual and maximum gait speed, timed up and go test, and five-repetition sit-to-stand test. Muscle strength was assessed using grip strength. RESULT: The ACTN3 genotype proportions were 20.3% for RR, 51.6% for RX, and 28.1% for XX. Participants with the RR genotype showed greater thigh muscle volume/ht2 compared to those with the RX and XX ACTN3 genotypes (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that RX (p < 0.01) and XX (p < 0.01) ACTN3 genotypes, compared to RR, were associated with lower thigh muscle volume/ht2 and with age, sex (reference; men), weight and maximum walking speed. There was no significant difference between physical performance and muscle strength between the ACTN3 genotypes. CONCLUSION: The ACTN3 genotype of the X allele was associated with decreased thigh muscle volume compared to the ACTN3 genotype of RR in older adults with sarcopenia or pre-sarcopenia.