The associations between physical activity and inflammatory markers in high-functioning older persons: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationships between recreational activity, house/yard work activity, work activity, and total physical activity and high levels of two peripheral blood markers of inflammation: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Three communities (Durham, NC; New Haven, CT; and East Boston, MA). PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred seventy persons aged 70 to 79 who were in the top third of community-dwelling older persons with respect to physical and cognitive functioning. MEASUREMENTS: Blood levels of IL-6 and CRP and self-reported recreational activity, house/yard work activity, work activity, and total physical activity. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for individuals with high levels of recreational activity to have values in the top tertiles of IL-6 and CRP were 0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.48-0.87) and 0.70 (95% CI = 0.51-0.95), respectively. The AORs for those with a high level of house/yard work activity to have values in the top tertile of IL-6 and CRP were 0.90 (95% CI = 0.67-1.20) and 0.70 (95% CI = 0.50-0.96), respectively. High levels of house/yard work and recreational activity were independently associated with lower risk of high CRP. CONCLUSION: The association between high levels of recreational activity and lower levels of the inflammatory markers IL-6 and CRP suggests a mechanism for its protective effect and supports interventions that increase physical activity in older persons. Such potential benefits of increased physical activity on inflammatory markers will need to be confirmed in clinical trials.     

Strength and muscle quality in a well-functioning cohort of older adults: the Health,Aging and Body Composition Study

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether lower lean mass and higher fat mass have independent effects on the loss of strength and muscle quality in older adults and might explain part of the effect of age. DESIGN: Single-episode, cross-sectional analyses of a cohort of subjects in the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study. SETTING: Ambulatory clinic and research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand six hundred twenty-three men and women aged 70 to 79 from the Health ABC Study. MEASUREMENTS: Upper and lower extremity strength was measured using isokinetic (knee extension) and isometric (grip strength) dynamometers. Body composition (lean mass and fat mass) was determined by measuring lean mass of upper and lower extremities and the total body by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Muscle quality was ascertained by taking the ratio of strength to muscle mass for both upper and lower extremities. RESULTS: Upper and lower extremity strength and muscle quality decreased as age increased. Most of the explained variance in strength was due to differences in muscle mass, but, in those at the extremes of body fat and lower leg muscle quality, the association with body fat was independent of the effect of age. Although blacks had greater muscle strength and mass than whites, leg muscle quality tended to be lower in blacks than in whites. Upper extremity strength adjusted for lean mass and muscle quality were also associated inversely and independently with age, body fat, and black race. CONCLUSION: In this older cohort, lower strength with older age was predominantly due to a lower muscle mass. Age and body fat also had significant inverse associations with strength and muscle quality. Both preservation of lean mass and prevention of gain in fat may be important in maintaining strength and muscle quality in old age.     

他汀类药物对AECOPD患者炎性因子影响作用研究

目的 探讨他汀类药物在COPD急性加重期应用的临床意义.方法 选取60例入住病房的AECOPD患者,随机分为实验组（使用瑞舒伐他汀）30例,对照组30例,均给予常规氧疗、抗感染、解痉平喘、化痰等治疗,实验组同时给予瑞舒伐他汀5mg,口服,每晚一次,连续治疗10天.治疗前后分别检查患者血浆中的白介素-6（IL-6）、C-反应蛋白（C-RP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平的变化.结果 治疗结束后,两组患者血浆中IL-6、TNF-α、C-RP改善程度均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;实验组较对照组中IL-6、TNF-α、C-RP改善程度有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.结论 他汀类药物在治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期患者中,能减低患者体内的IL-6、TNF-α、C-RP水平,从而缓解患者体内急性炎症反应和免疫反应,减轻肺组织的炎症损伤.     

Endothelial dysfunction: The possible link between cardiovascular comorbidities and phenomenon of inflammaging from COPD

Aging is a risk factor for many chronic noncommunicable diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is often associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moreover, aging is associated with a mild form of systemic inflammation. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between age, systemic and vascular inflammation, and the presence of CVD comorbidities in a stable COPD population. Forty COPD patients were divided into 2 age groups (<65 and ≥65 years of age), from which we collected the following inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Elderly COPD patients had more frequent exacerbation events per year (2 vs 1, P = .06), a higher prevalence of CVD (3 vs 2, P = .04), more limited exercise tolerance (6-minute walking test distance, 343 [283–403] vs 434 [384–484]; P = .02), and mild systemic inflammation (TNF-α, 9.02 [7.08–10.96] vs 6.48 [5.21–7.76]; P = .03; ET-1, 2.24 [1.76–2.71] vs 1.67 [1.36–1.98] pg/mL; P = .04). A weak correlation between age and ET-1 (r = 0.32, P = .04) was observed. Mild systemic inflammation, characterized by a slightly increased level of TNF-α, and endothelial dysfunction, marked by elevated ET-1, could be liaisons between aging, COPD, and CVD comorbidities.     

Association of adiponectin with mortality in older adults: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study

Aims/hypothesis  Despite inverse associations with insulin resistance and adiposity, adiponectin has been associated with both increased and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. We examined whether adiponectin is associated with total and cardiovascular mortality in older adults with well-characterised body composition. Methods  We analysed data from 3,075 well-functioning adults aged 69–79 years at baseline. Mortality data were obtained over 6.6 ± 1.6 years. We used Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for covariates in stages to examine the association between adiponectin and total and cardiovascular mortality. Results  There were 679 deaths, 36% of which were from cardiovascular disease. Unadjusted levels of adiponectin were not associated with total or cardiovascular mortality. However, after adjusting for sex and race, adiponectin was associated with an increased risk of both total mortality (hazard ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.15–1.37, per SD) and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.17–1.56, per SD). Further adjustment for study site, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, prevalent heart disease, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, renal function, fasting insulin, triacylglycerol, BMI, visceral fat, thigh intermuscular fat and thigh muscle area did not attenuate this association. This association between adiponectin and increased mortality risk did not vary by sex, race, body composition, diabetes, prevalent cardiovascular disease, smoking or weight loss. Conclusions/interpretation  Higher levels of adiponectin were associated with increased risks of total and cardiovascular mortality in this study of older persons.     

血清炎性细胞因子与急性冠脉综合征的临床相关性

目的探讨血清炎性细胞因子在急性冠脉综合征（ACS）发生发展中的作用。方法 152例入选对象经临床及冠脉造影检查明确诊断后分为：ACS组（急性心肌梗死组和不稳定型心绞痛组）75例,稳定型心绞痛（SAP）组41例和对照组36例。应用ELISA法检测各组血清基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）、高敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）及巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（M-CSF）的浓度并进行统计学分析。结果与SAP组及对照组比较,ACS组血清MMP-9,TNF-α,hs-CRP及M-CSF水平均明显升高（P〈0.01）。Logistic回归显示,MMP-9及M-CSF与冠心病相关。Spearman相关分析显示4种因子之间存在正相关关系。结论血清MMP-9,hs-CRP,TNF-α及M-CSF等炎性细胞因子水平的升高是动脉硬化斑块不稳定的标志,各种炎性细胞因子之间相互诱导、相互协同或拮抗,贯穿于ACS发生发展的各个环节。     

Prognostic value of usual gait speed in well-functioning older people--results from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study

OBJECTIVES: To define clinically relevant cutpoints for usual gait speed and to investigate their predictive value for health-related events in older persons. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand forty-seven well-functioning older persons (mean age 74.2). MEASUREMENTS: Usual gait speed on a 6-m course was assessed at baseline. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to identify (Sample A; n=2,031) and then validate (Sample B; n=1,016) usual gait-speed cutpoints. Rates of persistent lower extremity limitation events (mean follow-up 4.9 years) were calculated according to gait speed in Sample A. A cutpoint (defining high- (< 1 m/s) and low risk (> or = 1 m/s) groups) was identified based on persistent lower extremity limitation events. The predictive value of the identified cutpoints for major health-related events (persistent severe lower extremity limitation, death, and hospitalization) was evaluated in Sample B using Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A graded response was seen between risk groups and health-related outcomes. Participants in the high-risk group had a higher risk of persistent lower extremity limitation (rate ratio (RR)=2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.76-2.74), persistent severe lower extremity limitation (RR=2.29, 95% CI=1.63-3.20), death (RR=1.64, 95% CI=1.14-2.37), and hospitalization (RR=1.48, 95% CI=1.02-2.13) than those in the low-risk group. CONCLUSION: Usual gait speed of less than 1 m/s identifies persons at high risk of health-related outcomes in well-functioning older people. Provision of a clinically meaningful cutpoint for usual gait speed may facilitate its use in clinical and research settings.     

Physical function in older adults with and without a cancer history: Findings from the National Health and Aging Trends Study

Background

Previous studies identified physical function limitations in older cancer survivors, but few have included objective measures and most focused on breast and prostate cancer survivors. The current study compared patient-reported and objective physical function measures between older adults with and without a cancer history.

Methods

Our cross-sectional study used a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling, Medicare beneficiaries from the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study (n = 7495). Data collected included patient-reported physical function, including a composite physical capacity score and limitations in strength, mobility, and balance, and objectively measured physical performance metrics, including gait speed, five time sit-to-stand, tandem stand, and grip strength. All analyses were weighted to account for the complex sampling design.

Results

Thirteen percent of participants (n = 829) reported a history of cancer, of which more than half (51%) reported a diagnosis other than breast or prostate cancer. In models adjusted for demographics and health history, older cancer survivors had lower Short Physical Performance Battery scores (unstandardized beta [B] = −0.36; 95% CI: −0.64, −0.08), slower gait speed (B = −0.03; 95% CI: −0.05, −0.01), reduced grip strength (B = −0.86; 95% CI: −1.44, −0.27), worse patient-reported composite physical capacity (B = −0.43; 95% CI: −0.67, −0.18) and patient-reported upper extremity strength (B = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.50) compared to older adults without cancer. Additionally, the burden of physical function limitations was greater in women than in men, which may be explained by cancer type.

Conclusions

Our results extend studies in breast and prostate cancer to show worse objective and patient-reported physical function outcomes in older adults with a range of cancer types compared to those without a cancer history. Moreover, these burdens seem to disproportionately affect older adult women, underscoring the need for interventions to address functional limitations and prevent further health consequences of cancer and its treatment.     

Physical Performance and Subsequent Disability and Survival in Older Adults with Malignancy: Results from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate objective physical performance measures as predictors of survival and subsequent disability in older patients with cancer.
DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study.
SETTING: Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study.
PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred twenty-nine individuals diagnosed with cancer during the first 6 years of follow-up of the Health ABC Study.
MEASUREMENTS: The associations between precancer measures of physical performance (20-m usual gait speed, 400-m long-distance corridor walk (LDCW), and grip strength) and overall survival and a short-term outcome of 2-year progression to disability or death were evaluated. Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models, stratified for metastatic disease, respectively, were used for outcomes.
RESULTS: Mean age was 77.2, 36.1% were women, and 45.7% were black. Faster 20-m usual walking speed was associated with a lower risk of death in the metastatic group (hazard ratio=0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.79–0.99) and lower 2-year progression to disability or death in the nonmetastatic group (odds ratio (OR)=0.77, 95% CI=0.64–0.94). Ability to complete the 400-m LDCW was associated with lower 2-year progression to disability or death in the nonmetastatic group (OR=0.24, 95% CI=0.10–0.62). There were no associations between grip strength and disability or death.
CONCLUSION: Lower extremity physical performance tests (usual gait speed and 400-m LDCW) were associated with survival and 2-year progression to disability or death. Objective physical performance measures may help inform pretreatment evaluations in older adults with cancer.     

Low blood pressure levels for fall injuries in older adults: the Health,Aging and Body Composition Study

Fall injuries cause morbidity and mortality in older adults. We assessed if low blood pressure (BP) is associated with fall injuries, including sensitivity analyses stratified by antihypertensive medications, in community-dwelling adults from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study (N = 1819; age 76.6 ± 2.9 years; 53% women; 37% black). Incident fall injuries (N = 570 in 3.8 ± 2.4 years) were the first Medicare claims event from clinic visit (7/00–6/01) to 12/31/08 with an ICD-9 fall code and non-fracture injury code, or fracture code with/without a fall code. Participants without fall injuries (N = 1249) were censored over 6.9 ± 2.1 years. Cox regression models for fall injuries with clinically relevant systolic BP (SBP; ≤ 120, ≤ 130, ≤ 140, > 150 mmHg) and diastolic BP (DBP; ≤ 60, ≤ 70, ≤ 80, > 90 mmHg) were adjusted for demographics, body mass index, lifestyle factors, comorbidity, and number and type of medications. Participants with versus without fall injuries had lower DBP (70.5 ± 11.2 vs. 71.8 ± 10.7 mmHg) and used more medications (3.8 ± 2.9 vs. 3.3 ± 2.7); all P < 0.01. In adjusted Cox regression, fall injury risk was increased for DBP ≤ 60 mmHg (HR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.02–1.53) and borderline for DBP ≤ 70 mmHg (HR = 1.16; 95% CI 0.98–1.37), but was attenuated by adjustment for number of medications (HR = 1.22; 95% CI 0.99–1.49 and HR = 1.12; 95% CI 0.95–1.32, respectively). Stratifying by antihypertensive medication, DBP ≤ 60 mmHg increased fall injury risk only among those without use (HR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.02–1.90). SBP was not associated with fall injury risk. Number of medications or underlying poor health may account for associations of low DBP and fall injuries.     

Physical activity as a determinant of change in mobility performance: the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association of (change in) physical activity and decline in mobility performance in older men and women. DESIGN: A 3-year prospective study using data of the Longitudinal Aging Study. SETTING: Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand one hundred nine men and women aged 55 to 85. MEASUREMENTS: Total physical activity (expressed as hours per day and kilocalories per day) and sports participation were measured using a validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Mobility performance was assessed using two timed tests: 6-meter walk and repeated chair stands. RESULTS: Mobility performance declined for 45.6% of the sample. At baseline, the mean time +/- standard deviation spent on total physical activity was 3.0 +/- 2.1 h/d or 719 +/- 543 kcal/d, and 56.6% of the sample participated in sports. Sports participation and a higher level of total physical activity, walking, or household activity were associated with a smaller mobility decline. After 3 years, total physical activity declined, and only 53.4% of those reporting sports at baseline continued doing so. Continuation of physical activity over time was associated with the smallest decline in mobility. The observed associations were similar for those with and without chronic disease (P> 0.3). The conclusions did not change after adjustment for potential confounders, including demographic and lifestyle variables, depression, and cognitive status. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, and especially a regularly active lifestyle, may slow the decline in mobility performance. A beneficial effect was observed for sports and nonsports activities, independent of the presence of chronic disease.     

持续性心房颤动患者左心房结构和炎性因子变化分析

目的 研究持续性心房颤动患者炎性因子与心房结构重构的关联性.方法 研究对象为45例持续性心房颤动组和45例对照组.研究对象行超声心动图检测左心房直径,行超声背向散射测定技术检测房间隔和左心房后壁背向散射积分值（integrated backscatter,IBS）和背向散射积分周期变化值（cyclic variation of integrated backscatter,CVIB）.行免疫比浊法和酶联免疫吸附法检测患者血清高敏C-反应蛋白（high-sensitivity C-reactionprotein,hs-CRP）,白细胞介素（interleukin,IL）-6和肿瘤坏死因子（tumor necrosis factor,TNF-α）浓度.结果 持续性心房颤动组左心房直径和血清Hs-CRP、IL-6、TNF-α浓度均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.心房颤动患者左心房直径与各血清炎性因子浓度（hs-CRP、IL-6和TNF-α）呈正相关（r=0.825,P＜0.01;r=0.432,P＜0.01;r=0.357,P＜0.01）.左心房直径＞40 mm亚组血清hs-CRP、IL-6和TNF-α浓度均高于左心房直径≤40 mm亚组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 炎性因素参与了心房颤动的发病过程,血清hs-CRP、IL-6和TNF-α浓度与心房颤动的持续状态有关,心房纤维化和心肌重构也参与了心房颤动的发生和维持.