Fear of falling is an important risk indicator for adverse health related outcomes in older adults. However, factors associated with fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults are not ...well-explored.
To explore the quality of life and associated factors in fear of falling among older people in the Shih-Pai area in Taiwan.
This community-based survey recruited three thousand eight hundred and twenty-four older adults aged ≥ 65 years. The measurements included a structured questionnaire, including quality of life by using Short-Form 36, and information of fear of falling, fall history, demographics, medical conditions, insomnia, sleep quality, depression and subjective health through face-to-face interviews.
A total of 53.4% of participants reported a fear of falling. The rate of fear of falling was higher in female subjects. Subjects with fear of falling had lower Short Form-36 scores both for men and women. Falls in the previous year, older age, insomnia, depression and worse subjective health were correlates of fear of falling for both sexes. Male-specific associations with fear of falling were the accessibility of medical help in an emergency, diabetes mellitus and stroke. In parallel, cardiovascular diseases were a female-specific correlate for fear of falling.
Fear of falling is prevalent among community-dwelling older adults. It is seems that there are gender differences in fear of falling with respect to the prevalence and associated factors in older adults. Gender differences should be considered when planning prevention and intervention strategies for fear of falling among older people.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To investigate the risk of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in patients with depression by examining their clinical features, early prescription patterns, and early and lifetime comorbidities.
In ...total, 31,422 depressive inpatients were followed-up from diagnostic onset for more than 10-years. Patients were diagnosed with TRD if their antidepressant treatment regimen was altered ≥two times or if they were admitted after at least two different antidepressant treatments. Multiple Cox regression model were used to determine whether physical and psychiatric comorbidities, psychosis, and prescription patterns increased the risk of TRD by controlling for relevant demographic covariates. Survival analyses were performed for important TRD-associated clinical variables.
Females with depression (21.24%) were more likely to suffer from TRD than males (14.02%). Early anxiety disorders were more commonly observed in the TRD group than in the non-TRD group (81.48 vs. 58.96%, p < 0.0001). Lifetime anxiety disorders had the highest population attributable fraction (42.87%). Seventy percent of patients with multiple psychiatric comorbidities developed TRD during follow-up. Cox regression analysis further identified that functional gastrointestinal disorders significantly increased TRD risk (aHR = 1.19). Higher doses of antidepressants and benzodiazepines and Z drugs in the early course of major depressive disorder increased TRD risk (p < 0.0001).
Our findings indicate the need to monitor early comorbidities and polypharmacy patterns in patients with depression associated with elevated TRD risk.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Growing evidence suggests the link between gut microbiota and mood regulation. The current study aimed to identify microbiota targets for major depressive disorder (MDD) and mood-related traits in ...Taiwanese samples, while taking into account the influence of dietary patterns. We recruited 36 MDD patients and 37 healthy controls for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We assessed nutrient content using food frequency questionnaire, and mood related phenotypes, including depressive severity, anxiety, and perceived stress. Analysis of composition of microbiomes (ANCOM) models were performed to evaluate microbiota compositions between patients and controls, while adjusted for fat intake% and sequencing platforms. We found 23 taxa (4 phyla, 7 families and 12 genera) to be associated with depression and beta diversity was differed between groups. Phylum Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were overrepresented in MDD patients. At genus level, Bifidobacterium (7%) and Blautia (8%) had relatively high abundance among MDD patients, while Prevotella (16%) had high abundance in controls. Holdemania exhibited moderate correlation with anxiety (r = 0.65) and perceived stress level (r = 0.49) mainly in MDD patients but not controls. Pathway analyses revealed that pentose phosphate and starch and sucrose metabolism processes were important pathways for depression via microbiota functions. In conclusion, our results revealed microbiota targets for depression that are independent of fat intake. It is worthwhile to conduct further studies to replicate the current findings and to integrate with biochemistry and metabolomics data to better understand the functions of identified targets.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Fall episodes are not unusual among community residents, especially the elderly, and lower muscle strength is an important issue to address in order to prevent falls.
A community health survey was ...conducted in a suburban area of Taiwan, and 1067 older adults were selected for enrollment in the present study. All the enrolled subjects had been visited at their homes; the subjects' strength of both hands and muscle mass of both legs were measured and well-established questionnaires were finished by certificated paramedic staffs.
The incidence of fall episodes in the previous 1 year in the Yilan elderly population was 15.1%, and the female predominance was significant. A significantly higher prevalence of cataracts was found in group who experienced a fall in the past year (64% vs. 54.9% in the non-fall group). Mild or more severe dementia was much more prevalent in the group who experienced a recent fall (33.8% vs. 25.7% in the non-fall group). The strength of both hands tested as the physical function was 17.6 ± 8.0 kg in the recent fall group, significantly weaker than that in the non-fall group (20.7 ± 8.7 kg). Multivariate regression analysis revealed a greater weekly exercise duration and greater strength of both hands reduced the occurrence of falls among the whole and the female population. The standardized effect sizes of hand grip strength between both groups, not trivial, were 0.29 and 0.37 for the total population and the female subpopulation respectively.
Less weekly exercise duration and weaker muscle strength were f ound to be independent risk factors of fall episode(s) in an elderly Taiwanese population, especially in the female sub-population. Muscle strength, measured by average of both hands grip strength, was the most significantly factor of one-year fall episode(s) accessed retrospectively.
Different pathomechanisms may underlie the age-related decline in muscle mass and muscle power in older adults. This study aimed to examine the independent relationship between sleep duration and ...muscle power.
Older adults, aged 65 years and older, were randomly selected to participate in a community-based survey in Yilan city, Taiwan. Data on self-reported sleep duration, sociodemographic information, lifestyle, chronic medical and mental health conditions, sleep-related parameters, and anthropometric measurements were collected. Participants who slept ≤4 hr, 5 hr, 6-7 hr, 8 hr, and ≥9 hr were defined as shortest, short, mid-range, long, and longest sleepers, respectively. Muscle power was estimated using hand grip strength.
A total of 1081 individuals participated. Their average age was 76.3 ± 6.1 years, and 59.4% were female. After controlling for covariates, including muscle mass of the upper extremities, both long (estimated mean 95% confidence interval, CI: 19.2 18.2-20.2, p = .03) and longest sleepers (estimated mean 95% CI: 17.8 16.4-19.2, p = .001) had weaker hand grip strength than mid-range sleepers (estimated mean 95% CI: 20.9 20.3-21.4). When stratified by sex, the association between longest sleep duration and weaker hand grip strength was noted among men only.
Older adults with long sleep duration had weaker hand grip strength irrespective of muscle mass. This finding suggests that decreased muscle power may mediate or confound the relationship between long sleep duration and adverse health outcomes.
Many scholars have highlighted the importance of motivation and anxiety in language learning. They have also indicated the advantages of integrating learning content into a mobile-assisted English ...learning system environment. Meanwhile, a few studies have explored the impacts of a mobile-assisted English learning system on the motivation and English anxiety of elementary school students. This study explores these factors in the English learning achievement of elementary school students by using a mobile-assisted English learning system that includes interesting and interactive games. This study also tries to improve students' learning motivations and decrease their English anxiety through the mobile-assisted English learning system. This quasi-experimental design required 6 weeks to collect the data from the participants. A total of 79 students participated in the experiment, and they were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The students in the experimental group used a mobile-assisted English learning system to learn. Then, they filled out a questionnaire and evaluated whether the system's operations and their motivation, English anxiety, and perceived usefulness affected their learning achievement. The experimental results indicate that the mobile-assisted English learning system benefits students' learning achievement. Moreover, students with lower levels of English anxiety have better learning achievement than those with higher levels of English anxiety, and higher levels of perceived usefulness result in better learning achievement. These findings could be used as a reference for relevant instructors to find better assisted learning tools and improve students' learning achievement.
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BFBNIB, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The manifestation of older adults with poor sleep quality is heterogeneous. Using data-driven classifying methods, the study aims to subgroup community-dwelling older adults with poor sleep quality. ...Adults aged 65 and older participated in the Yilan study. Poor sleep quality was defined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Latent class analysis with the 7 subscores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as the indicators was used to generate empirical subgroups. Differences in comorbidity patterns between subgroups were compared. A total of 2622 individuals, of which 1011 (38.6%) had Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index -defined poor sleep quality, participated. Three groups for poor sleep quality were specified in the latent class analysis: High Insomnia (n = 191, 7.3%), Mild Insomnia (n = 574, 21.9%), and High Hypnotics (n = 246, 9.4%). The High Insomnia and Mild Insomnia groups shared similar profiles but different severities in the 7 domains of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In contrast, the High Hypnotics group had the lowest Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total scores and insomnia severity but had similar mental and physical comorbid patterns as the High Insomnia group. This finding suggests that poor sleep quality in community-dwelling older adults had various feature-based subgroups. It also implicates the development of group-centered interventions.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The present study aims to examine and compare the predictors of changes in self-reported sleep duration in older adults. A total of 2,294 participants over the age of 65 in the Shih-Pai Sleep Study ...were followed-up for an average of 3 years. According to the self-reported sleep duration at baseline and the results of a follow-up survey conducted 3 years later, participants were classified into three categories: mid-range sleepers (6-7 hours), short sleepers (≤5 hours), and long sleepers (≥8 hours). The main outcome variable was the sleep duration at the follow-up survey. A comparison of the results of the baseline and follow-up surveys revealed that only 45.9% of participants remained in the same spectrum of sleep duration in both surveys, with baseline long sleepers having the lowest consistency rate (27.6%). Only incident diseases, with the exception of prevalent diabetes and physical disability, predicted shortening of sleep duration. In contrast, prevalent morbidities or baseline characteristics correlated with the lengthening of sleep duration. The findings suggested that the self-estimated sleep duration fluctuated in a significant proportion of study participants over time. Predictors of lengthening of sleep duration were essentially different from predictors of shortening of sleep duration.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
The association between nighttime sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationships between various domains of nighttime sleep ...disturbance, daytime sleepiness, and their specific dimensions.
Methods
This was a community‐based cross‐sectional study. The participants were adults aged 65 years and older from Yilan City, Taiwan. Daytime sleepiness (DS) was defined using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) with scores ≥ 11. The ESS dimensions were further examined using exploratory factor analysis. The highest 15% factor scores for each factor were defined as factor‐specific DS. Various domains of nighttime sleep disturbance were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent relationships among various nighttime sleep disturbances, ESS, and its dimensions.
Results
Of the 2585 participants, a total of 59.0% were women. Two factors were identified by exploratory factor analysis and were designated as ‘passive factor’ and ‘active factor’. Multiple logistic regression analyses elucidated that short sleep duration was a common risk indicator for ESS‐defined (odds ratio (OR): 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43–2.83), passive factor‐defined (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.65–3.00), and active factor‐defined DS (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.07–2.00). Hypnotic use was associated with a lower risk of both ESS‐defined (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.92) and passive factor‐defined DS (OR:0.69, 95% CI: 0.52–0.92). Bathroom use (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04–1.91), coughing or snoring (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.01–4.56), and sleep efficiency (OR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.31–0.57) were uniquely associated with active factor‐defined DS.
Conclusion
Two factors were identified in the ESS, revealing factor‐specific correlates of DS. Specifically, ESS‐ and passive factor‐defined DS shared similar correlates. In contrast, some correlates seem unique to active‐factor‐defined DS.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Introduction
Hand grip strength (HGS) is one of the methods to help early identification of physical frailty and sarcopenia, the major concerns in the aging societies. It is also crucial to ...evaluate its impact on mortality. However, the available evidence regarding such impact among specific age cohorts (65 to 74 years and above) is limited. This study tried to investigate the relationship between HGS and mortality among specific cohorts of the community-dwelling older individuals in Yilan, Taiwan.
Methods
A seven-year longitudinal follow-up study was conducted involving 2,468 community-dwelling older individuals in Yilan. The participants were divided into two groups based on their quartiles of hand grip strength: with poor HGS and with good HGS. The association between HGS and mortality was examined using Cox proportional hazards models.
Results
The analysis revealed that age, HGS, gender, medical history of cardiovascular diseases, body mass index, and wrist-hip ratio had significant impacts on seven-year survival. Specifically, individuals with poor HGS exhibited increased mortality, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.87 (95% CI: 1.52–2.30). Furthermore, the adverse effect of poor HGS on mortality was more pronounced in males aged 65–74 years (adjusted HR 4.12, 95% CI: 2.16–7.84), females aged 75 years or older (2.09, 1.43–3.04) and males aged 75 years or older (1.49, 1.07–2.07).
Conclusion
Poor hand grip strength is an independent risk factor for mid-term mortality among community-dwelling older individuals in Yilan. The assessment of HGS can serve as a valuable tool in identifying older individuals at higher risk of death.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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