High leptin status indicates an increased risk of mortality and heart failure in stable coronary artery disease

Background and aimsLeptin is an adipocyte-derived peptide involved in energy homeostasis and body weight regulation. The position of leptin in cardiovascular pathophysiology remains controversial. Some studies suggest a detrimental effect of hyperleptinemia on the cardiovascular (CV) system, while others assume the role of leptin as a neutral or even protective factor. We have explored whether high leptin affects the mortality and morbidity risk in patients with stable coronary heart disease.Methods and resultsWe followed 975 patients ≥6 months after myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization in a prospective study. All-cause or cardiovascular death, non-fatal cardiovascular events (recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, or any revascularization), and hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) we used as outcomes.High serum leptin concentrations (≥18.9 ng/mL, i.e., 4th quartile) were associated with worse survival, as well as with a higher incidence of fatal vascular events or hospitalizations for HF. Even after full adjustment for potential covariates, high leptin remained to be associated with a significantly increased 5-years risk of all-cause death [Hazard risk ratio (HRR) 2.10 (95%CIs:1.29–3.42), p < 0.003], CV death [HRR 2.65 (95%CIs:1.48–4.74), p < 0.001], and HF hospitalization [HRR 1.95 (95% CIs:1.11–3.44), p < 0.020]. In contrast, the incidence risk of non-fatal CV events was only marginally and non-significantly influenced [HRR 1.27 (95%CIs:0.76–2.13), p = 0.359].ConclusionsHigh leptin concentration entails an increased risk of mortality, apparently driven by fatal CV events and future worsening of HF, on top of conventional CV risk factors and the baseline status of left ventricular function.     

Current research status of blood biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease: Diagnosis and prognosis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which mainly occurs in the elderly, is a neurodegenerative disease with a hidden onset, which leads to progressive cognitive and behavioral changes. The annually increasing prevalence rate and number of patients with AD exert great pressure on the society. No effective disease-modifying drug treatments are available; thus, there is no cure yet. The disease progression can only be delayed through early detection and drug assistance. Therefore, the importance of exploring associated biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prediction of the disease progress is highlighted. The National Institute on Aging— Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) proposed A/T/N diagnostic criteria in 2018, including Aβ42, p-tau, t-tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and positron emission tomography (PET). However, the invasiveness of lumbar puncture for CSF assessment and non-popularity of PET have prompted researchers to look for minimally invasive, easy to collect, and cost-effective biomarkers. Therefore, studies have largely focused on some novel molecules in the peripheral blood. This is an emerging research field, facing many obstacles and challenges while achieving some promising results.     

Bilirubin and its changes were negatively associated with diabetic kidney disease incidence and progression: A five-year's cohort study based on 5323 Chinese male diabetic patients

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the association between baseline bilirubin (TBiL) and follow-up TBiL changes for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) incidence and progression based on a 5?years' cohort study.

海南百岁老人12项肥胖相关指标与全因死亡的关联研究

目的描述和分析BMI、腰围、腰臀比、腰高比、小腿围、腰围小腿围比值(WCR)、脂质蓄积指数(LAP)、内脏脂肪指数(VAI)、中国内脏脂肪指数(CVAI)、身体形态指数、中国身体形态指数(CABSI)和身体圆度指数与海南百岁老人全因死亡间的关联。方法整群抽样方法抽取的海南百岁老人共1 002人。随访时间的M(Q1, Q3)为4.16(1.31, 5.04)年, 结局为全因死亡, 使用Cox比例风险回归分析各肥胖相关身体测量指标与全因死亡的关联, 并使用受试者工作特征曲线曲线下面积(AUC)进行比较。结果总人群中小腿围对全因死亡的判定能力最强, AUC为0.61(95%CI:0.57～0.64), 分性别结果与总人群一致(P<0.05)。WCR次之(AUC为0.58), 再次是BMI、LAP和腰围, AUC分别为0.55、0.55和0.54, 而CABSI、腰臀比和VAI的判定能力较弱, AUC分别为0.51、0.50和0.50。结论本研究比较了12项肥胖相关指标与海南百岁老人全因死亡间的关联, 发现小腿围的预测判定能力最好, 且呈剂量反应关系, 提示可作为长寿老人死亡风险预测的参...     

中国高龄老年人日常活动能力状况及影响因素分析

目的 探讨我国高龄老年人群日常活动能力（activities of daily living,ADL）状况及主要影响因素。方法 根据2014年中国老年健康影响因素跟踪调查结果,纳入80岁及以上高龄老年人群,分析其ADL及失能状况,并探讨重要的影响因素。结果共纳入4 646名≥80岁的高龄老年人,其中男性1 823名,占总人群的41.4%,年龄(91.30±7.77)岁。高龄老年人ADL失能的患病率为32.2%,其中失能的患病率女性(36.0%)高于男性（26.7%）（P<0.001）,且呈现随年龄增加的趋势（P<0.001）。中重度失能占所有失能者的51.3%,其患病率分别为6.7%和9.9%。不同条目比较,洗澡失能的比例最高,达到29.9%;控制大小便失能的比例最低,仅为8.6%。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄、居住地、性别、慢性病数量等均是ADL失能的影响因素。结论 我国高龄老年人的失能状况不容乐观,年龄、性别、慢性病等多个因素与失能有关。这也提示我们需要重视高龄老年人尤其是女性、伴有共病者的失能状况,针对性开展防治措施,以提高生活质量,减少疾病和社会负担。     

Effectiveness of online dementia caregivers training programs: A systematic review

Over the next thirty years, Alzheimer's disease rates will increase alongside global aging. With the anticipated increase in demand, knowledgeable and skilled dementia caregivers will be in need across the long-term care spectrum. This study is a systematic review of online dementia-based training programs for formal and informal caregivers conducted to analyze evidence for using online training programs. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) method. Methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group criteria. No previously published systematic review has analyzed online dementia training programs among both formal and informal caregivers. A systematic search of Web of Science, PsychInfo, and PubMed resulted in a final sample of (N = 19) studies. Results suggest that online interventions improve the condition and preparedness of caregivers, but future evaluations should consider study designs with multiple time points, control groups, and content that is personalized and interactive.     

Postural effect on gait characteristics by using rolling walkers

This study was to examine the effect of leaning-forward posture (LFP) on gait parameters while using a rolling walker (RW).A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 23 older female adults were asked to walk with a RW on the GaitRite walkway in two posture situations: upright posture, and LFP caused by pushing the RW forward and then following the RW. The temporal and spatial gait parameters were obtained for data analysis.Results showed that compared with the upright posture, participants with LFP demonstrated significantly increased cadence, decreased velocity and gait cycle time (both swing and stance time decreased). Of spatial parameters, both step and stride length significantly decreased, but the base of support increased significantly.These indicate that LFP during ambulation with a RW could lead participants to a shuffling-like (many steps on short distance) gait pattern. They may help clinicians find proper rehabilitation interventions and appropriate patient education for this specific postural presentation.     

A mixed methods evaluation of got care!

This study aimed to assess the relationship between an Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) intervention for community-dwelling older adults, Geriatric Outreach and Training with Care! (GOT Care!), and the observed 26% reduction in Emergency Department (ED) visits for the 51 older adult participants. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was utilized. Demographic data and ED visit data were collected and analyzed using paired-samples t-tests, poisson regression and generalized poisson regression. Stakeholder perspectives were assessed via emailed open-ended surveys and analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative results were transformed into trends that were compared and contrasted with the qualitative themes. The results were consistent with the current literature that IPCP models may have a greater impact on older adults with certain demographic characteristics such as polypharmacy, diabetes and prior ED use, while nursing was identified as an ideal leader for IPCP teams.     

中国高龄老年人血压水平和高血压患病及其控制情况

目的 探讨我国高龄老年人的血压水平和高血压的患病及控制情况。方法 中国老年健康影响因素跟踪调查（Chinese Longitudinal and Health Longevity Study,CLHLS）2014年横断面数据集,探讨血压水平及分布,并开展高龄老年人的高血压患病和控制情况的调查。结果 共调查4 587名≥ 80岁的高龄老年人,年龄（91.3±7.8）岁,其中,男性1 896名,占总人群的41.3%。2014年我国高龄老年人群SBP为（139.5±22.0）mmHg,DBP水平为（79.6±11.8）mmHg,脉压差平均水平为（60.0±18.7）mmHg。高血压患病率为56.5%（95% CI：55.1%~58.0%）,知晓率为52.2%（95% CI：50.3%~54.1%）,控制率为11.5%（95% CI：10.3%~12.5%）,知晓者控制率为22.2%（95% CI：19.9%~24.4%）。年龄、性别、BMI、居住地、来源地区与高龄老年人的血压水平和控制情况有关。结论 我国≥ 80岁高龄老年人血压水平和高血压流行情况与发达国家、我国成年人不同,与年轻老年人结果相差不大。高血压患病率较高而控制率较低,年龄、性别、BMI、居住地、来源地区与血压水平、高血压患病与控制有关。