Aim
This study analyzed the association between swallowing function levels and health‐related quality of life (QOL) among community‐dwelling dependent older persons in Japan.
Methods
A ...cross‐sectional survey of a purposive sample of community‐dwelling dependent older individuals in Japan was conducted. Two swallowing functions (tongue pressure and lip‐closure force), the risk of dysphagia, and health‐related QOL (SF‐8) were surveyed.
Results
There were 86 (38.2%) men and 139 (61.8%) women, with a mean age of 81.6 ± 7.4 years. The activities of daily living‐20 evaluation yielded a total score of 46.39 ± 10.18. The elderly participants had decreased swallowing functions. The risk‐of‐dysphagia score demonstrated a significant negative correlation with respect to the SF‐8 subcategory scores. Moreover, the multiple regression analyses indicated that three variables exhibited significant negative differences: general health perceptions, mental health (SF‐8 subarea), and activities of daily living.
Conclusion
An increasing risk of dysphagia can lead to a deterioration in the health‐related QOL among community‐dwelling dependent older individuals. This implies that homecare interventions that address the deterioration of swallowing and the risk of dysphagia could be in high demand in the future.
Introduction: The coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic has changed the daily lives of older adults in Japan, requiring them to wear masks and limit their movements. As lifestyle changes affect people's ...health, it is likely that some changes have occurred in their nutrition, which is the foundation of health. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the nutrition of older adults living at home during the pandemic period and identify the impact of the pandemic. Material and methods: The nutrition of older adults living at home was surveyed using the Mini-Nutrition Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF®). The target population was older adults living at home who were independent or in need of care. Surveys were conducted before and during the pandemic. Associations between the two survey periods and the MNA-SF® (nutrition assessment, sub-item) were analysed using χ-square or Fisher's test. The analysis was conducted separately for independent older adults and older adults in need of care. Results: Regarding nutrition assessment, our survey results indicated that 39.5% of older adults were considered "well-nourished," 46% were "at risk for malnutrition," and 14.5% were "malnourished" during the pandemic period. The analysis showed no significant differences in nutrition assessment by survey period for all participants. However, differences were observed in the sub-items before and during the pandemic. Significant differences were observed in neuropsychological problems and body mass index among independent older adults, and in neuropsychological problems, mobility, and reduced food intake among older adults in need of care. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the pandemic has changed the risk factors for undernutrition among older adults living at home, and that these changed factors may differ in part depending on whether they need care.
In most mammals, each hair follicle undergoes a cyclic process of growing, regressing and resting phases (anagen, catagen, telogen, respectively) called the hair cycle. Various biological factors ...have been reported to regulate or to synchronize with the hair cycle. Some factors involved in the extracellular matrix, which is a major component of skin tissue, are also thought to regulate the hair cycle. We have focused on an enzyme that degrades elastin, which is associated with skin elasticity. Since our previous study identified skin fibroblast elastase as neprilysin (NEP), we examined the fluctuation of NEP enzyme activity and its expression during the synchronized hair cycle of rats. NEP activity in the skin was elevated at early anagen, and decreased during catagen to telogen. The expression of NEP mRNA and protein levels was modulated similarly. Immunostaining showed changes in NEP localization throughout the hair cycle, from the follicular epithelium during early anagen to the dermal papilla during catagen. To determine whether NEP plays an important role in regulating the hair cycle, we used a specific inhibitor of NEP (NPLT). NPLT was applied topically daily to the dorsal skin of C3H mice, which had been depilated in advance. Mice treated with NPLT had significantly suppressed hair growth. These data suggest that NEP plays an important role in regulating the hair cycle by its increased expression and activity in the follicular epithelium during early anagen.
This study investigates the current state of oral hygiene care in community-dwelling older adults and clarifies related subjective symptoms, health awareness, and education factors. Method: A ...cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were 638 older adults above 65 years of age. We examined the basic attributes of participants and the status of oral hygiene care. The relationship between oral hygiene care status and basic attributes of participants were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test. Results: We received responses from 410 older adults participants. The highest implementation rate of oral hygiene care was 75.4% for interdental cleaning and the highest rate for using interdental cleaning of tools was 51.7%. Oral hygiene care was implemented among older adults, women, those unaware of the difficulties of oral care, those interested in oral care, those who visited with the dentist regularly, and those with experience of receiving oral care instruction (P<0.05). Discussion: For older adults to manage their oral hygiene, it is necessary to use hassle-free approaches and methods, encourage their interest, and promote professional guidance. Conclusion: Oral hygiene practices were associated with oral health awareness and education.
Aim: This study aimed to examine changes in daily living and quality of life (QOL) among older adults living at home in Japan during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to determine ...the relationship between the two. Methods: The participants in this study were Japanese adults aged ≥65 years who agreed to participate. This study was conducted using a questionnaire survey from 2021 to 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey items included participants' age, sex, need for care, changes in daily living, and QOL. To assess changes in daily living, the participants were asked about changes in time spent standing, exercising, going out, talking, laughing, sleeping, and alone. QOL was assessed using the SF-8. The relationship between QOL and changes in daily living was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Of the 485 participants included, 198 (40.8%), 196 (40.4%), 284 (58.6%), 163 (33.6%), 149 (30.7%), and 43 (8.9%) reported a decrease in time spent standing, exercising, outside, talking, laughing, and sleeping, respectively. Additionally, 131 (27.0%) participants reported an increase in time spent alone. Multiple regression analyses indicated that physical QOL was associated with time spent outside, sleeping, and standing, and mental QOL with time spent standing, laughing, and alone. Conclusions: Physical and mental QOL were significantly associated with changes in daily living. Since time spent standing is associated with both physical and mental QOL, guidelines for maintaining time spent standing are particularly important.
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