The association between physical fitness with successful ageing and risk of cognitive impairment among malaysian older adults

The expansion of ageing population has gained much public attention on the importance of healthy and successful ageing, which is absence of major chronic diseases, preserved physiological and cognitive functioning and active engagement with life. Previous studies have found there was a significant correlation between physical fitness with cognition. However, the relationship between physical fitness with successful and unsuccessful cognitive ageing groups are very limited. This study was aimed to identify the significant physical fitness components that contribute in reducing risk of cognitive decline represented as different cognitive ageing groups. A total of 300 community-based elderly aged 60 and above from the states of Selangor, Perak and Kelantan were recruited using multistage random sampling method in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive function of subjects was categorized into three groups, namely Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (n = 100), Usual Ageing (UA) (n = 100) and Successful Ageing (SA) (n = 100) based on defined criteria. Senior Fitness Tests included 2-minute step, handgrip strength, chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, 8 foot up-and-go and back scratch were measured to determine the cardiorespiratory fitness; muscle strength; agility and flexibility of subjects. SA group had significantly better performance than non-SA groups in all fitness components, except for chair sit-and-reach. After controlling for age, gender, education years and smoking status, handgrip strength and chair stand tests were associated with a reduced risk of MCI by 7% [OR: 0.93, 95% C.I: 0.88-0.99, p < 0.05] and 15% [OR: 0.85, 95% C.I: 0.75-0.95, p < 0.01], respectively. These findings suggest that older adults with higher upper and lower body muscular strength could serve as protective factors for cognitive impairment. Further research is warranted to evaluate the mechanism of physical and cognitive decline such as Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) in more detailed for the purpose for promoting healthy and successful ageing

Hubungan antara status mood dan fungsi kognitif dalam kalangan warga emas yang mempunyai kecelaan kognitif ringan

Terdapat beberapa bukti menyatakan bahawa status mood mampu mempengaruhi fungsi kognitif dari segi ingatan episodik, ingatan kerja dan penyelesaian masalah. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menilai hubungan antara status mood dan fungsi kognitif dalam kalangan warga emas yang mempunyai Kecelaan Kognitif Ringan (MCI). Kajian ini melibatkan 12 orang lelaki dan 37 orang wanita dari Lembah Klang yang berusia 60 tahun ke atas. MCI ditakrif berdasarkan kriteria yang dicadangkan oleh Peterson. Fungsi kognitif subjek dinilai dengan menggunakan ujian Mini Mental State (MMS), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning (RAVL), Digit Span, Digit Symbol Substituition (DSS) dan Visual Reproduction; Manakala status mood termasuk ketegangan, kemurungan, kemarahan, kecergasan, penghargaan diri, keletihan dan kekeliruan dinilai melalui soal selidik Profile of Mood States (POMS). Jumlah skor subskala positif dan negatif serta jumlah gangguan mood (Total Mood Disturbance) juga dikira. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan korelasi positif antara ketegangan (r = 0.325, p = 0.30), kecergarsan (r = 0.235, p = 0.036) dengan ingatan episodik lisan yang dinilai dengan ujian RAVL. Di samping itu, korelasi positif juga dapat diperhatikan antara kecergasan (r = 0.228, p = 0.035) dan skor subskala positif (r = 0.237, p = 0.025) dengan ujian DSS yang menilai kelajuan pemprosesan kognitif. Ujian regresi berganda juga menunjukkan bahawa subjek mempunyai penghargaan diri yang tinggi [OR = 0.390, 95% CI [0.069-0.711], p = 0.019) dan ketegangan (OR = 0.253, 95% CI [0.075-0.431) p = 0.007) mempunyai ingatan episodik yang lebih baik. Skor subskala positif yang lebih tinggi juga mempunyai berhubungkait dengan kelajuan pemprosesan kognitif yang lebih pantas (OR = 0.856, 95% CI [0.099-1.614], p = 0.028). Kesimpulannya, warga emas yang mempunyai mood yang lebih positif adalah lebih cenderung kepada ingatan jangka pendek yang lebih baik dan kelajuan pemprosesan yang lebih cekap

Methodology approaches and challenges in population‐based longitudinal study of a neuroprotective model for healthy longevity

Aim: The 36‐month Long‐Term Research Grant Scheme project: Towards Usual Aging – Neuroprotective Model for Healthy Longevity among Malaysian Elderly was designed to address multidimensional aspects including psychosocial, biophysical health, nutrition and dietary pattern, and auditory and visual function to highlight the magnitude of these associations in a single study. Methods: A total of 2322 respondents aged ≥60 years were recruited at baseline using the multistage sampling method, followed up at 18 months and 36 months. Results: Response rates at baseline, 18 months and 36 months were 87.8%, 77.3% and 67.1%, respectively. At baseline, the prevalence of successful aging, usual aging and mild cognitive impairment was 11%, 73% and 16%, respectively. The prevalence of single and multimorbidity at baseline were 25.9% and 50.3%, respectively. The incidence rates of mild cognitive impairment at 18 months and 36 months were 6.5 and 5.6 per 100 person‐years. The incidence rates of multimorbidity at 18 months and 36 months were 23.7 and 21.5 per 100 person‐years, respectively. Conclusions: The Long‐Term Research Grant Scheme project: Towards Usual Aging study provides an opportunity to investigate the interactions between wide ranges of aspects of the older population in a nationally representative sample of the older population

Identification of Neuroprotective Factors Associated with Successful Ageing and Risk of Cognitive Impairment among Malaysia Older Adults

The increase of ageing population has raised public attention on the concept of successful ageing. Studies have shown that vitamin D, telomere length, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been associated with cognitive function. Therefore, this study aimed to identify neuroprotective factors for cognitive decline in different ageing groups. A total of 300 older adults aged 60 years and above were recruited in this population based cross-sectional study. Participants were categorized into three groups: mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n=100), usual ageing (UA) (n=100), and successful ageing (SA) (n=100). Dietary vitamin D intake was assessed through Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ). Out of the 300 participants, only 150 were subjected to fasting blood sample collection. These samples were used for serum vitamin D and plasma BDNF measurements. Whole blood telomere length was measured using RT-PCR method. The results show that the reduction of the risk of MCI was achieved by higher serum vitamin D level (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92–0.99, p<0.05), higher plasma BDNF level (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30–0.88,  p<0.05), and longer telomere (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99,  p<0.001). In conclusion, participants with higher vitamin D level, higher BDNF level, and longer telomere length were more likely to age successfully

Factors associated with motoric cognitive risk syndrome among low-income older adults in Malaysia

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome is characterized by slow gait and memory complaints that could be used to predict an increased risk of dementia. This study aims to determine the MCR syndrome and its risk factors among low-income (B40) older adults in Malaysia. Methods: Data from TUA cohort study involving 1366 older adults (aged 60 years and above) categorized as low-income were analysed, for risk of MCR syndrome based on defined criteria. Chi-square analysis and independent t test were employed to examine differences in socioeconomic, demographic, chronic diseases and lifestyle factors between MCR and non-MCR groups. Risk factors of MCR syndrome were determined using hierarchical logistic regression. Results: A total of 3.4% of participants fulfilled the criteria of MCR syndrome. Majority of them were female (74.5%, p = 0.001), single/widow/widower/divorced (55.3%, p = 0.002), living in rural area (72.3%, p = 0.011), older age (72.74 ± 7.08 year old, p \u3c 0.001) and had lower years of education (3.26 ± 2.91 years, p = 0.001) than non-MCR group. After adjustment for age, gender and years of education, participants living in rural area (Adjusted OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.10-4.35, p = 0.026), with obesity (Adjusted OR = 3.82, 95% CI = 1.70-8.57, p = 0.001), diabetes (Adjusted OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.01-4.11, p = 0.046), heart disease (Adjusted OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.00-6.20, p = 0.049) and cancer (Adjusted OR = 6.57, 95% CI = 1.18-36.65, p = 0.032) were associated with increased risk of MCR syndrome. Conclusion: Only 3.4% of older adults from low-income group were identified as having MCR syndrome. Women, those living in rural areas, had obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer were more likely to have MCR syndrome. Further investigation on MCR as a predementia syndrome will help in development of preventive strategies and interventions to reduce the growing burden of dementia, especially among individuals with low socioeconomic status