Introduction
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient playing crucial roles in human biology. Hypovitaminosis C is defined by a plasmatic ascorbemia below 23 µmol/L and is associated with numerous ...outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers or neurocognitive disorders. Numerous risk factors are common among older adults making them particularly susceptible to hypovitaminosis C. These risk factors include reduced vitamin intakes, higher vitamin metabolism related to polypathology, and iatrogeny because of polypharmacy. However, the precise prevalence of hypovitaminosis C and its risk factors are poorly documented within the geriatric population.
A better knowledge of hypovitaminosis C prevalence and risk factor may lead to improving the vitamin C status among older people and prevent its consequences.
Method and analysis
To answer these questions, we designed a monocentric cross-sectional study in a population of older hospitalised patients in Lyon, France. A sample size of 385 patients was needed to estimate hypovitaminosis C prevalence. The study was proposed to all eligible patient aged more than 75 years old entering the participating acute geriatric unit. The plasmatic vitamin C status was systematically assessed for participating patients, and variables part of the medical and geriatric evaluation were collected. For patients with severe vitamin C depletion, an oral supplementation and a follow-up phone call were organised to ensure treatment completion and tolerance.
Ethics and dissemination
The protocol has been approved by an independent national ethics committee and meets the methodological requirements. Final outcomes will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated through conferences.
Trial registration number
NCT05668663
.
Studies involving the associations between vitamin D supplementation taken before the onset of COVID-19 infection and the clinical outcomes are still scarce and this issue remains controversial. This ...study aimed to assess the relationships between vitamin D (VitD) status and supplementation and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity in older adults (average age of 78 years) hospitalized for COVID-19. We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study with 228 older hospitalized patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcomes were in-hospital mortality secondary to COVID-19 or critically severe COVID-19. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to test whether pre-hospital VitD supplementation was independently associated with severity. In this study, 46% of patients developed a severe form and the overall in-hospital mortality was 15%. Sixty-six (29%) patients received a VitD supplement during the 3 months preceding the infection onset. Additionally, a VitD supplement was associated with fewer severe COVID-19 forms (OR = 0.426, p = 0.0135) and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (OR = 0.341, p = 0.0076). As expected, age > 70 years, male gender and BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 were independent risk factors for severe forms of COVID-19. No relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and the severity of the COVID-19 was identified. VitD supplementation taken during the 3 months preceding the infection onset may have a protective effect on the development of severe COVID-19 forms in older adults. Randomized controlled trials and large-scale cohort studies are necessary to strengthen this observation.
Excessive inflammatory response has been implicated in severe respiratory forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Trace elements such as zinc, selenium, and copper are known to modulate ...inflammation and immunity. This study aimed to assess the relationships between antioxidant vitamins and mineral trace elements levels as well as COVID-19 severity in older adults hospitalized. In this observational retrospective cohort study, the levels of zinc, selenium, copper, vitamin A, β-carotene, and vitamin E were measured in 94 patients within the first 15 days of hospitalization. The outcomes were in-hospital mortality secondary to COVID-19 or severe COVID-19. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to test whether the levels of vitamins and minerals were independently associated with severity. In this cohort (average age of 78 years), severe forms (46%) were associated with lower zinc (
= 0.012) and β-carotene (
< 0.001) concentrations, and in-hospital mortality (15%) was associated with lower zinc (
= 0.009), selenium (
= 0.014), vitamin A (
= 0.001), and β-carotene (
= 0.002) concentrations. In regression analysis, severe forms remained independently associated with lower zinc (aOR 2.13,
= 0.018) concentrations, and death was associated with lower vitamin A (aOR = 0.165,
= 0.021) concentrations. Low plasma concentrations of zinc and vitamin A were associated with poor prognosis in older people hospitalized with COVID-19.
BackgroundDysphagia, particularly sarcopenic dysphagia, is frequent in frail older patients. Sarcopenic dysphagia is a swallowing disorder caused by sarcopenia, corresponding to a loss of muscle mass ...and strength. It frequently leads to inhalation and to the decrease of food intake, leading the patient to enter a vicious circle of chronic malnutrition and frailty. The awareness of the major health impacts of sarcopenic dysphagia is recent, explaining a low rate of screening in the population at risk. In this context, methods of prevention, evaluation and intervention of sarcopenic dysphagia adapted to the most at-risk population are necessary.MethodsThe DYSPHAGING (dysphagia & aging) pilot study is a prospective, multicentre, non-comparative study aiming to estimate the feasibility of an intervention on allied health professionals using the DYSPHAGING educational sheet designed to implement a two-step procedure ‘screen–prevent’ to mitigate swallowing disorders related to sarcopenic dysphagia. After obtaining oral consent, patients are screened using Eating Assessment Tool-10 Score. In case of a score≥2, procedures including positional manoeuvres during mealtimes, food and texture adaptation should be implemented. The primary endpoint of the study is the feasibility of this two-step procedure (screening–prevention measures) in the first 3 days after patient’s consent.The study will include 102 patients, with an expected 10% rate of non-analysable patients. Participants will be recruited from acute geriatric wards, rehabilitation centres and long-term care units, with the hypothesis to reach a feasibility rate of 50% and reject a rate lower than 35%.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved according to French legislation (CPP Ile-de-France VII) on 15 February 2023. The results of the primary and secondary objectives will be published in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration number NCT05734586.
Background:
The Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire (LEQ) assesses complex mental activity across the life-course and has been associated with brain and cognitive health. The different education ...systems and occupation classifications across countries represent a challenge for international comparisons. The objectives of this study were four-fold: to adapt and harmonise the LEQ across four European countries, assess its validity across countries, explore its association with brain and cognition and begin to investigate between-country differences in life-course mental activities.
Method:
The LEQ was administered to 359 cognitively unimpaired older adults (mean age and education: 71.2, 13.2 years) from IMAP and EU-funded Medit-Ageing projects. Education systems, classification of occupations and scoring guidelines were adapted to allow comparisons between France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom. We assessed the LEQ's (i) concurrent validity with a similar instrument (cognitive activities questionnaire - CAQ) and its structural validity by testing the factors' structure across countries, (ii) we investigated its association with cognition and neuroimaging, and (iii) compared its scores between countries.
Results:
The LEQ showed moderate to strong positive associations with the CAQ and revealed a stable multidimensional structure across countries that was similar to the original LEQ. The LEQ was positively associated with global cognition. Between-country differences were observed in leisure activities across the life-course.
Conclusions:
The LEQ is a promising tool for assessing the multidimensional construct of cognitive reserve and can be used to measure socio-behavioural determinants of cognitive reserve in older adults across countries. Longitudinal studies are warranted to test further its clinical utility.
Introduction Mental health conditions are associated with cognition and physical function in older adults. We examined whether worry and ruminative brooding, key symptoms of certain mental health ...conditions, are related to subjective and/or objective measures of cognitive and physical (cardiovascular) health. Methods We used baseline data from 282 participants from the SCD-Well and Age-Well trials (178 female; age mean = 71.1 years). We measured worry and ruminative brooding using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and the Ruminative Response Scale-brooding subscale. We assessed subjective physical health using the WHOQOL-Bref physical subscale, and objective physical health via blood pressure and modified versions of the Framingham Risk Score and Charlson Comorbidity Index. With subjective and objective cognition, we utilized the Cognitive Difficulties Scale and a global composite (modified Preclinical Alzheimer’s Cognitive Composite, PACC5, with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, category fluency, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2, and either the California Verbal Learning Test or the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test). We conducted linear regressions, adjusted for education, age, sex and cohort. Results Worry and ruminative brooding were negatively associated with subjective physical health (worry: β = −0.245, 95%CI −0.357 to −0.133, p < 0.001; ruminative brooding: β = −0.224, 95%CI −0.334 to −0.113, p < 0.001) and subjective cognitive difficulties (worry: β = 0.196, 95%CI 0.091 to 0.302, p < 0.001; ruminative brooding: β = 0.239, 95%CI 0.133 to 0.346, p < 0.001). We did not observe associations between worry or ruminative brooding and any measure of objective health. Discussion Worry and ruminative brooding may be common mechanisms associated with subjective but not objective health. Alternatively, cognitively unimpaired older adults may become aware of subtle changes not captured by objective measures used in this study. Interventions reducing worry and ruminative brooding may promote subjective physical and cognitive health; however, more research is needed to determine causality of the relationships.
Older individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) perceive that their cognition has declined but do not show objective impairment on neuropsychological tests. Individuals with SCD are at ...elevated risk of objective cognitive decline and incident dementia. Non-pharmacological interventions (including mindfulness-based and health self-management approaches) are a potential strategy to maintain or improve cognition in SCD, which may ultimately reduce dementia risk.
This study utilized data from the SCD-Well randomized controlled trial. One hundred forty-seven older adults with SCD (M
= 72.7 years; 64% female) were recruited from memory clinics in four European countries and randomized to one of two group-based, 8-week interventions: a Caring Mindfulness-based Approach for Seniors (CMBAS) or a health self-management program (HSMP). Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (week 8), and at 6-month follow-up (week 24) using a range of cognitive tests. From these tests, three composites were derived-an "abridged" Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite 5 (PACC5
), an attention composite, and an executive function composite. Both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses were performed. Linear mixed models evaluated the change in outcomes between and within arms and adjusted for covariates and cognitive retest effects. Sensitivity models repeated the per-protocol analyses for participants who attended ≥ 4 intervention sessions.
Across all cognitive composites, there were no significant time-by-trial arm interactions and no measurable cognitive retest effects; sensitivity analyses supported these results. Improvements, however, were observed within both trial arms on the PACC5
from baseline to follow-up (Δ 95% confidence interval: CMBAS = 0.34 0.19, 0.48; HSMP = 0.30 0.15, 0.44). There was weaker evidence of an improvement in attention but no effects on executive function.
Two non-pharmacological interventions conferred small, non-differing improvements to a global cognitive composite sensitive to amyloid-beta-related decline. There was weaker evidence of an effect on attention, and no evidence of an effect on executive function. Importantly, observed improvements were maintained beyond the end of the interventions. Improving cognition is an important step toward dementia prevention, and future research is needed to delineate the mechanisms of action of these interventions and to utilize clinical endpoints (i.e., progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia).
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03005652.
INTRODUCTION
Older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have a higher risk of dementia. Reducing this risk through behavioral interventions, which can increase emotional well‐being ...(mindfulness and compassion) and physical activity, is crucial in SCD.
METHODS
SCD‐Well is a multicenter, observer‐blind, randomized, controlled, superiority trial. Three hundred forty‐seven participants (mean standard deviation age: 72.7 6.9 years; 64.6% women) were recruited from memory clinics in four European sites to assess the impact of an 8‐week caring mindfulness‐based approach for seniors (CMBAS) and a health self‐management program (HSMP) on mindfulness, self‐compassion, and physical activity.
RESULTS
CMBAS showed a significant within‐group increase in self‐compassion from baseline to post‐intervention and both a within‐ and between‐group increase to follow‐up visit (24 weeks). HSMP showed a significant within‐ and between‐group increase in physical activity from baseline to post‐intervention and to follow‐up visit.
DISCUSSION
Non‐pharmacological interventions can differentially promote modifiable factors linked to healthy aging in older adults with SCD.
Abstract 3810
Despite frequent anemia and multiple transfusions during AML chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), recommendations and marketing authorization ...for erythropoietin (EPO) use are still missing. In the current prospective study, as primary objective, we evaluated the effect of EPO on patient's quality of life (QOL). Secondary objective was hemoglobin (Hb) recovery. In addition, a paired matched analysis using similar population was conducted to compare platelets (Pt) and red blood cells (RBC) transfusion number.
We included adult patients with Hb level ≤11g/dl induced by 1, 2 or 3 consolidation chemotherapy for AML in complete remission (CR) (group 1); or by allo-HSCT for any hematological disease (group 2). EPO was administered Sc. once per week during a maximum period of 6 months: for group 1, ARANESP® 150μg; for group 2, NEORECORMON® 30000IU; Hb level was monitored every week. Injections were stopped once the Hb level reached 12g/dl without any transfusion. If after 4 injections, no improvement was observed, doses were doubled, and if after 8 injections, no improvement was observed, patient was taken off-study for EPO inefficiency. The QOL was measured at baseline, at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Anemia (FACT–An). EPO responders patients were defined as having Hb level ≥12g/dl (EPO CR) or a ≥ 2g/dl increase EPO partial response (EPO PR) compared with baseline value without any transfusion requirement. The matching analysis took into account: sex, age, disease status, for the two groups, associated to cytogenetics, type of chemotherapy, sequential chemotherapy number for group 1, and diagnosis, conditioning, HSC source, number of previous transplants and GVHD for group 2.
Between April 2006 and December 2009, among 261 screened patients, 55 were included in group1 and 61 in group 2, patient characteristics for each group are summarized in Table1. Main exclusion criteria were EPO contra-indication and patient refusal. The median number of EPO injections/patient was 13 (3 – 24) in group1 and 8 (2 - 28) in group 2. For the global population (111 evaluable patients 52 group1 and 59 in group 2), we have noticed a significant improvement of QOL during the 6 months follow-up according to FACT-An anemia (p=0.01). Despite a non-significant improvement for FACT-G, we observed a significant improvement in physical well-being (p<0.0001). There were 85 EPO CR (83% in group1 and 71% in group 2) and 3 (6%) EPO PR (only in group1). Among patients who reached the 6 months follow-up, 81% had a normal Hb level. Fourteen patients (13%) were withdrawn (6 in group1 and 8 in group 2) due to EPO inefficacy and 9 in group 2 for relapse or EPO related/unrelated serious adverse events (AEs). In group1: the median time to achieve an EPO CR was 34 days (17-67) after first consolidation and 41 days (12-67) after second consolidation (p=0.35). In group 2: the median time to achieve EPO CR was 39 days (14 - 180). After the pair-matched analysis, 44 patients in each group were matched with at least one case-control patient. When comparing RBC and Pt transfusions, there were 712 units and 751 units in the matched population versus 504 and 669 in the EPO population respectively 208 spared RBC (80 in group1, p=0.008 and 128 in group 2, p=0.004) and 100 spared Pt units (all in group1, p=0.001). The multivariate analysis studying different confounding factors on the cumulative incidence of EPO CR showed a significant positive impact of younger age (p=0.001) and intensive chemotherapy (p=0.03) in group1; and for group 2, the positive impact of Pt levels at baseline, the negative impact of female recipient and major ABO incompatibility. We did not find any significant difference in terms of overall (OS) and event free survival (EFS) between EPO and control groups.
This prospective study showed a real benefit of EPO administration on QOL, an achievement of a normal Hb level and a significant spare of RBC and Pt transfusions. Young AML patients, male allo-HSCT recipient, ABO compatible pairs seem to be the best candidates to benefit from EPO administration, with low AEs and no impact on OS or EFS. A cost-effectiveness study is ongoing and results will be communicated.
Display omitted
No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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