The association between sleep and obesity and its impact on health and wellbeing

The focus of this thesis was to investigate, especially in the context of obesity, the interactions among sleep duration and quality, and adverse health outcomes. Three comprehensive studies are described in the thesis: 1. A cross-sectional epidemiological study examined factors that are associated with both short and long sleep duration among an older Chinese population, and also assessed whether there was a link between sleep duration and chronic conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. This study showed that long sleep duration was associated with increased risk for obesity among women. Additionally, demographic, socio-economic, and medical conditions were associated with sleep duration. Identifying potential factors that affect sleep will inform future interventions for improving sleep with potential downstream effect on obesity and other chronic disorders. 2. A cross-sectional study of patients with extreme obesity indicated that the prevalence of sleep disturbance is high in this patient population. There was a positive association between sleep disturbance factors and depressive symptoms and quality of life among these individuals. The findings emphasise the importance of adequate assessment and treatment of sleep problems in this patient population. 3. A systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of lifestyle modification interventions on the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Lifestyle interventions such as dietary and physical activity improved OSA parameters, but were insufficient to normalise them. The findings will inform the development of future interventions for OSA, and are likely to contribute to clinical guidelines for OSA management

Impact of hypertension prevalence trend on mortality and burdens of dementia and disability in England and Wales to 2060: a simulation modelling study

BACKGROUND: Previous estimates of the impact of public health interventions targeting hypertension usually focus on one health outcome. This study aims to consider the effects of change in future hypertension prevalence on mortality, dementia, and disability simultaneously. METHODS: We modelled three plausible scenarios based on observed trends of hypertension prevalence from 2003 to 2017 in England: observed trends continue (baseline scenario); 2017 prevalence remains unchanged; and 2017 prevalence decreases by 50% by 2060. We used a probabilistic Markov model to integrate calendar trends in incidence of cardiovascular disease, dementia, disability, and mortality to forecast their future occurrence in the population of England and Wales. Assuming the hypertension prevalence trend modifies health transition probabilities, we compared mortality outcomes and the burden of dementia and disability to 2060 for the scenarios. FINDINGS: If the decline in hypertension prevalence stops, there would be a slight increase in the number of additional deaths to 2060 (22·9 [95% uncertainty interval 19·0-26·6] more deaths per 100 000 population), although the burdens of disability and dementia in absolute terms would change little. Alternatively, if the downward hypertension prevalence trend accelerates (with prevalence falling by 50% between 2017 and 2060), there would be a modest additional reduction in deaths (57·0 [50·4-63·5] fewer deaths per 100 000 population), a small increase in dementia burden (9·0 [5·1-13·2] more cases per 100 000 population), no significant effect on disability burden, and an 8% gain in healthy life expectancy at age 65 years from 2020 to 2060 (5·3 years vs 4·9 years) compared with the baseline scenario. INTERPRETATION: The major future impact of alternative hypertension prevention strategies appears to be on future life expectancy. The salutary effect of lower population blood pressure distribution on incidence of dementia and disability might not offset expansion of the susceptible population due to reduced mortality. FUNDING: British Heart Foundation and UK Economic and Social Research Council

What will the cardiovascular disease slowdown cost? Modelling the impact of CVD trends on dementia, disability, and economic costs in England and Wales from 2020–2029

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Collins et al.Background There is uncertainty around the health impact and economic costs of the recent slowing of the historical decline in cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and the future impact on dementia and disability. Methods Previously validated IMPACT Better Ageing Markov model for England and Wales, integrating English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) data for 17,906 ELSA participants followed from 1998 to 2012, linked to NHS Hospital Episode Statistics. Counterfactual design comparing two scenarios: Scenario 1. CVD Plateau—age-specific CVD incidence remains at 2011 levels, thus continuing recent trends. Scenario 2. CVD Fall—age-specific CVD incidence goes on declining, following longer-term trends. The main outcome measures were age-related healthcare costs, social care costs, opportunity costs of informal care, and quality adjusted life years (valued at £60,000 per QALY). Findings The total 10 year cumulative incremental net monetary cost associated with a persistent plateauing of CVD would be approximately £54 billion (95% uncertainty interval £14.3-£96.2 billion), made up of some £13 billion (£8.8-£16.7 billion) healthcare costs, £1.5 billion (-£0.9-£4.0 billion) social care costs, £8 billion (£3.4-£12.8 billion) informal care and £32 billion (£0.3-£67.6 billion) value of lost QALYs. Interpretation After previous, dramatic falls, CVD incidence has recently plateaued. That slowdown could substantially increase health and social care costs over the next ten years. Healthcare costs are likely to increase more than social care costs in absolute terms, but social care costs will increase more in relative terms. Given the links between COVID-19 and cardiovascular health, effective cardiovascular prevention policies need to be revitalised urgently.Peer reviewe

Estimating nuclear scanning capacity requirements for patients with suspected cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis

No abstract available

Association of aortic stiffness with cognitive decline: Whitehall II longitudinal cohort study

Abstract: Aortic stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease and mortality and may increase risk of dementia. The aim of the present study is to examine the association between arterial stiffness and cognitive decline in a large prospective cohort study with three repeated cognitive assessment over 7 years of follow-up. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured among 4300 participants (mean ± standard deviation age 65.1 ± 5.2 years) in 2007–2009 and categorized based on the tertiles: (lowest third: 8.91 m/s). A global cognitive score was calculated in 2007–2009, 2012–2013, and 2015–2016 based on responses to memory, reasoning and fluency tests. Standardized global cognitive score (mean = 0, SD = 1) in highest third versus lowest third of PWV category was lower at baseline (− 0.12, 95% CI − 0.18, − 0.06). Accelerated 7-year cognitive decline was observed among individuals with the highest PWV [difference in 7-year cognitive change for highest third versus lowest third PWV: − 0.06, 95% CI − 0.11, − 0.01, P < 0.01]. Higher aortic stiffness was associated with faster cognitive decline. Clinicians may be able to use arterial stiffness severity as an indicator to administer prompt treatments to prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline or dementia. Future studies need to determine whether early intervention of vascular stiffness is effective in delaying these outcomes

Participation Assessment Scales for 4 to 18-Year-Old Individuals With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Participation is defined as involvement in life situations and the ultimate outcome for individuals with disabilities. One of the most common causes of chronic disabilities that restrict individuals’ participation is cerebral palsy (CP). The main goal of rehabilitation is to empower clients’ participation in various life areas. To affect participation, assessing the outcomes in individuals with different health conditions is necessary. Accordingly, this study aims to overview the psychometric properties of participation assessment scales for 4 to 18-year-old individuals with CP. Methods: A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines was completed. The searched keywords included the following items: participation, cerebral palsy, ADL, IADL, education, play, leisure, social participation, rest/sleep, work, leisure, scale, assessment tools, activity, meaningful activity, purposeful activity, function, performance, creational activity, physical activity participation, recreational activity, self-care, mobility, and functional mobility. The inclusion criterion for articles was being published in a peer review journal from 2000 to 2020. Results: After examining the title, abstract, and full text, 22 articles were eligible to be included. Among 1482 studies, a total of 22 studies assessing the participation of children with CP in meaningful activities were included in this review.  Discussion: The psychometric properties of 8 outcome measures for 4 to 18-year-old individuals with CP were available and 5 assessment scales have the potential to be used for this population; however, the psychometric properties of these scales were unavailable

The association between adiposity, mental well-being, and quality of life in extreme obesity.

OBJECTIVES To explore the cross-sectional association between adiposity, mental well-being, and quality of life in extreme obese individuals entering a UK specialist weight management service prior to treatment commencement. METHODS The sample comprised 263 extreme obese individuals who were referred to the service as a result of having a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2 or ≥35 kg/m2 with a co-morbid health condition. In a retrospective analysis, routinely collected baseline clinical examination data and self-report questionnaires (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life: IWQOL-Lite, EQ5D-3L, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: HADS) were analysed to examine the cross-sectional association between adiposity and quality of life. RESULTS The sample was predominantly female (74.8%) with mean BMI 47.0±7.9 kg/m2. Increasing adiposity was significantly negatively associated with quality of life, with an increase of 1 BMI unit associated with decreases of 1.93 in physical function (95% CI -2.86 - -1.00, p<0.001), 1.62 in self-esteem (95% CI -2.67 - -0.57, p<0.05), 2.69 in public distress (95% CI -3.75 - -1.62, p<0.001), 1.33 in work (95% CI -2.63 - -0.02, p<0.05), and 1.79 in total IWQOL-Lite scores (95% CI -2.65 - -0.93, p<0.001). Adiposity was associated with significantly increased risk of problems in mobility (OR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.47-8.05), and performing usual activities (OR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.10-5.46) in highest relative to lowest BMI tertile. The prevalence of experience of symptoms of anxiety (70.3%) and depression (66.2%) as measured by HADS was consistently high. CONCLUSIONS We identified a high prevalence of psychological co-morbidity, including widespread experience of symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders and reduced quality of life among these extreme obese individuals seeking weight management treatment. Clinical implications include the need for the incorporation of strategies to improve mental well-being into multi-disciplinary weight management interventions

The Complex Associations Among Sleep Quality, Anxiety-Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Extreme Obesity

INTRODUCTION: Sleep duration and quality have been associated with obesity. Sleep disturbance has been reported to be associated with stress and depression among non-obese populations, but these relationships have not been previously examined in the obese population. The objective of the current study was to examine the complex associations among sleep disturbance, quality of life, anxiety, and depression in a patient sample with severe obesity. METHODS: Two hundred seventy consecutively recruited patients with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 47.0 kg/m(2) were studied. The correlation coefficient, multiple linear regressions, and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis were used to evaluate the association between the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation; SD) PSQI score was 8.59 (5.11), and mean ESS score was 8.84 (5.79). After controlling for potential confounders, poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness were found to be significantly associated of all the components of IWQOL-Lite; physical function (β = -0.32, β = -0.27; P < 0.01), self-esteem (β = -0.23, β = -0.30; P < 0.05), sexual-life (β = -0.30, β = -0.35; P < 0.05), public distress (β = -0.39, β = -0.39; P < 0.01), and work (β = -0.26, β = -0.48; P < 0.01). We also found that the PSQI global score had a positive significant association with anxiety (β = 0.29; P = 0.01) and depression (β = 0.31; P = 0.01) components of HADS. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality was strongly associated with mood disturbance and poor quality of life among extremely obese patients. Future interventions are needed to address sleep disturbance to prevent further development of psychological co-morbidity and potentially worsening of obesity among these individuals. CITATION: Araghi MH; Jagielski A; Neira I; Brown A; Higgs S; Thomas GN; Taheri S. The complex associations among sleep quality, anxiety-depression, and quality of life in patients with extreme obesity. SLEEP 2013;36(12):1859-1865

Association of aortic stiffness with cognitive decline: Whitehall II longitudinal cohort study

Abstract: Aortic stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease and mortality and may increase risk of dementia. The aim of the present study is to examine the association between arterial stiffness and cognitive decline in a large prospective cohort study with three repeated cognitive assessment over 7 years of follow-up. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured among 4300 participants (mean ± standard deviation age 65.1 ± 5.2 years) in 2007–2009 and categorized based on the tertiles: (lowest third: 8.91 m/s). A global cognitive score was calculated in 2007–2009, 2012–2013, and 2015–2016 based on responses to memory, reasoning and fluency tests. Standardized global cognitive score (mean = 0, SD = 1) in highest third versus lowest third of PWV category was lower at baseline (− 0.12, 95% CI − 0.18, − 0.06). Accelerated 7-year cognitive decline was observed among individuals with the highest PWV [difference in 7-year cognitive change for highest third versus lowest third PWV: − 0.06, 95% CI − 0.11, − 0.01, P < 0.01]. Higher aortic stiffness was associated with faster cognitive decline. Clinicians may be able to use arterial stiffness severity as an indicator to administer prompt treatments to prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline or dementia. Future studies need to determine whether early intervention of vascular stiffness is effective in delaying these outcomes