The Associations of Dietary Inflammatory Potential With Musculoskeletal Health in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older People: The Mr. OS and Ms. OS (Hong Kong) Cohort Study

Inflammation, an important contributory factor of muscle and bone aging, is potentially modulated by diet. This study examined the associations of dietary inflammatory index (DII) score with musculoskeletal parameters and related disease outcomes in 3995 community-dwelling Chinese men and women aged ≥65 years in Hong Kong. DII score at baseline was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. Bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hand grip strength, gait speed, and chair stand test were measured at baseline, year 4, and year 14. The associations of DII score with the longitudinal changes of musculoskeletal parameters, and incidence of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and fractures were examined by using general linear model, multinomial logistic regression model, and Cox proportional hazards regression model, respectively. After multiple adjustments, each tertile increase in DII score in men was associated with 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10–0.64) kg loss in grip strength and 0.02 (95% CI, 0.01–0.03) m/s loss in gait speed over 4 years. In men, the highest tertile of DII was associated with a higher risk of incident fractures, with adjusted and competing death adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) of 1.56 (1.14–2.14) and 1.40 (1.02–1.91), respectively. In women, DII score was not significantly associated with any muscle-related outcomes or incidence of fracture, but a significant association between higher DII score and risk of osteoporosis at year 14 was observed, with the highest tertile of DII score having adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of 1.90 (1.03–3.52). In conclusion, pro-inflammatory diet consumption promoted loss of muscle strength and physical function, and increased risk of fractures in older Chinese men. Pro-inflammatory diets had no significant association with muscle related outcomes but increased the long-term risk of osteoporosis in older Chinese women. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Factors Associated With Nurses' Job Satisfaction In Residential Long-term Care: The Importance of Organizational Context

ObjectivesWe examined demographic, individual, and organizational context factors associated with nurses' job satisfaction in residential long-term care (LTC) settings. Job satisfaction has implications for staff turnover, staff health, and quality of care.DesignA cross-sectional analysis of survey data collected in the Translating Research in Elder Care program.Setting and participantsN = 756 nurses (registered nurses: n = 308; licensed practical nurses: n = 448) from 89 residential LTC settings in 3 Western Canadian provinces.MethodsWe used a generalized estimating equation model to assess demographic, individual, and organizational context factors associated with job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was measured using the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire Job Satisfaction Scale.ResultsDemographic, individual, and organizational context factors were associated with job satisfaction among nurses in residential LTC settings. At the demographic level, hours worked in 2 weeks (B = 0.002, P = .043) was associated with job satisfaction. At the individual level, emotional exhaustion-burnout (B = −0.063, P = .02) was associated with lower job satisfaction, while higher scores on empowerment (meaning) (B = 0.140, P = .015), work engagement (vigor) (B = 0.096, P = .01), and work engagement (dedication) (B = 0.129, P = .001) were associated with higher job satisfaction. With respect to organizational context, culture (B = 0.175, P < .001), organizational slack-space (eg, perceived availability and use of adequate space; B = 0.043, P = .040), and adequate orientation (B = 0.092, P < .001) were associated with higher job satisfaction.Conclusions and implicationsWe identified previously unexamined modifiable organizational features (organizational slack-space and adequate orientation) as factors associated with LTC nurses' job satisfaction in the Canadian context. Our findings support future efforts to improve job satisfaction through improvements in organizational space and provision of adequate workplace orientation.     

The Added Value of SARC-F to Prescreening Using FRAX for Hip Fracture Prevention in Older Community Adults

Objectives

To examine the potential added value of a simple 5-item questionnaire for sarcopenia screening (SARC-F) to the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) for hip fracture risk prediction, in order to identify at-risk older adults for screening with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Predictors of Serious Consequences of Falls in Residential Aged Care: Analysis of More Than 70,000 Falls From Residents of Bavarian Nursing Homes

Background/ObjectiveFalls are common in nursing homes and cause a high burden of injuries. The objective of this study was to analyze factors associated with serious consequences of falls in nursing home residents.DesignProspective observational study.SettingFalls were recorded over 1 year, covering all residents from 528 nursing homes in Bavaria, Germany.ParticipantsThe database consisted of 70,196 falls.MeasurementsThe standardized form included information about date, time, sex, age, functional status, location of fall, activity leading to the fall, footwear, and about potential consequences, such as transfer to hospital or a suspected fracture. Transfer to hospital was the main outcome and served as surrogate for a serious fall. The association of potential risk factors with hospital transfer after a fall was estimated in multiple logistic regression models.ResultsSerious falls were associated with increasing age, being female, and less restricted functional status. Walking compared with transferring, and particularly the morning hours were also associated with a serious fall. Compared with midday, for example, the time period between 6 am and 8 am was associated with a more than 60% increased chance of transfer to hospital. Inappropriate footwear and weekends were associated with serious falls only in women.ConclusionSome observed factors or indicators associated with transfer to hospital are modifiable and targeted interventions may reduce injuries or costs after a fall.     

Structure and strength of the distal radius in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A case‐control study

The purpose of this work was to investigate the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone microstructure, and mechanical indices of the distal radius in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report a cross‐sectional study of 66 middle‐aged female RA patients and 66 age‐matched healthy females. Areal BMD (aBMD) of the hip, lumbar spine, and distal radius was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). High‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR‐pQCT) was performed at the distal radius, yielding vBMD, bone microstructure, and mechanical indices. Cortical and trabecular vBMD were 3.5% and 10.7% lower, respectively, in RA patients than controls, despite comparable aBMD. Trabecular microstructural indices were –5.7% to –23.1% inferior, respectively, in RA patients compared to controls, with significant differences in trabecular bone volume fraction, separation, inhomogeneity, and structural model index. Cortical porosity volume and percentage were 128% and 93% higher, respectively, in RA patients, with stress being distributed more unevenly. Fourteen RA patients had exaggerated periosteal bone apposition primarily affecting the ulnovolar aspect of the distal radius. These particular patients were more likely to have chronic and severe disease and coexisting wrist deformity. The majority of the differences in density and microstructure between RA patients and controls did not depend on menstrual status. Recent exposure to glucocorticoids did not significantly affect bone density and microstructure. HR‐pQCT provides new insight into inflammation‐associated bone fragility in RA. It detects differences in vBMD, bone microstructure, and mechanical indices that are not captured by DXA. At the distal radius, deterioration in density and microstructure in RA patients involved both cortical and trabecular compartments. Excessive bone resorption appears to affect cortical more than trabecular bone at distal radius, particularly manifested as increased cortical porosity. Ulnovolar periosteal apposition of the distal radius is a feature of chronic, severe RA with wrist deformity. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Influence of Dietary Patterns and Inflammatory Markers on Atherosclerosis Using Ankle Brachial Index as a Surrogate

Objective

To examine the influence of various dietary patterns on ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a surrogate of atherosclerosis, taking into account serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and factors that predispose to inflammation and/or endothelial damage (homocysteine) or may be protective (tryptophan, vitamin D), as well as age, gender, and lifestyle risk factors.

Design

Cross sectional analysis.

Setting

Cohort of 4000 men and women aged 65 years living in the community in Hong Kong SAR China.

Measurements

Interviewer administered questionnaire that includes dietary intake estimation by the food frequency records (from which various dietary patterns can be characterized), socioeconomic status, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, physical activity. Clinical measurements include body weight and height, and ankle-brachial index using hand-held Doppler machine. Laboratory measurements include assays of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D, CRP, homocysteine, and tryptophan using LC/MC methods.

Results

Compared with the lowest quintile of vitamin D level, higher quintile was associated with lower prevalence of ABI <0.9 in women only after multiple adjustments of covariates. In men the low score group of the vegetables-fruits dietary pattern was associated with increased odds of having ABI<0.9 after adjusting for all covariates (OR=16.51 (95% CI: 2.21, 123.26)). Similar findings apply to the low score group in the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay Diet) pattern (OR=2.6 (95% CI: 1.24, 5.42)). In women, ABI<0.9 was associated with low Dietary Quality Index (DQI) score (OR=2.05 (95% CI: 1.22, 3.43)), and low score group of snacks-drinks-milk products dietary pattern (OR=3.07 (95% CI: 1.05, 9.04)). No association was observed for the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern (MDS), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Okinawan and “meat-fish” dietary patterns in either men or women.

Conclusion

We conclude that any dietary patterns emphasizing fruit and vegetable intake are associated with better vascular health using ABI as an indicator.

     

Sarcopenia Combined With FRAX Probabilities Improves Fracture Risk Prediction in Older Chinese Men

ObjectivesTo examine whether the inclusion of sarcopenia in prediction models adds any incremental value to fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX).Design, Setting, and ParticipantsData from a prospective cohort of 4000 community-dwelling Chinese men and women aged 65 years and older with adjudicated fracture outcomes were analyzed.MeasurementsAt baseline, femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed, as were the clinical risk factors included in FRAX, along with additional appendicular skeletal muscle mass, grip strength, and gait speed. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia algorithm. Incident fractures were documented during the follow-up period from 2001 to 2013.ResultsOf 4000 participants, 565 experienced at least 1 type of incident fracture and 132 experienced a hip fracture during a follow-up of 10.2 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) for 1-unit increase in FRAX score without BMD in men were 1.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.16] for all fractures combined and 1.19 (95% CI 1.13–1.27) for hip fracture, and in women were 1.04 (95% CI 1.03–1.06) for all fractures combined and 1.08 (95% CI 1.06–1.11) for hip fracture. Similar to results of the FRAX score without BMD, HRs for 1-unit increase in FRAX score with BMD in men were 1.04 (95% CI 1.03–1.06) for all fractures combined and 1.19 (95% CI 1.13–1.25) for hip fracture, and in women were 1.04 (95% CI 1.03–1.05) for all fractures combined and 1.06 (95% CI 1.05–1.08) for hip fracture. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with all fractures combined (Adjusted HR 1.87; 95% CI 1.30–2.68) and hip fracture (Adjusted HR 2.67; 95% CI 1.46–4.90) in men but not in women. The discriminative values for fracture, as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, were 0.60–0.73 and 0.62–0.76 for FRAX without and with BMD, respectively. Adding sarcopenia did not significantly improve the discriminatory capacity over FRAX (P > .05). Using reclassification techniques, sarcopenia significantly enhanced the integrated discrimination improvement by 0.6% to 1.2% and the net reclassification improvement by 7.2% to 20.8% in men, but it did not contribute to predictive accuracy in women.ConclusionsSarcopenia added incremental value to FRAX in predicting incident fracture in older Chinese men.