COVID-19 related mortality in older adults : analysis of the first wave in Colombia and Mexico

Q3Q3Objective. The aim of this study is to describe the mortality among older adults in the first wave of COVID-19 in Colombia and Mexico. Methods. This is an observational, prospective study on data obtained from open data sets that are publicly available on the websites of the health ministries of the respective countries. COVID-19 cases, age, sex, date to mortality, and mortality itself were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regressions. Results. Data on 1 779 877 individuals were analyzed, 58.2% from Mexico, with a higher frequency of men for both countries, and 11.7% were older adults. Survival curves show a continuous increase in mortality for Mexico, with higher rates for older adults, while for Colombia the mortality was observed up to 50 days of the follow-up. Finally, hazard ratios were higher for older adults in both countries. Colombia implemented a rigid curfew for older adults, and the effect on mortality is clear from the survival curves. Conclusions. This finding shows the potential benefit that public policies could have on older adults. Keywords COVID-19; epidemiology, aged, cross-cultural comparison; Colombia; Mexico.https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5680-7880https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=search_authors&mauthors=carlos+alberto+cano-gutierrez&hl=es&oi=aohttps://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0000054895&lang=esRevista Internacional - Indexad

Momento Económico (38)

Temas de hoy. 2/ De la ganaderización de la agricultura a la desganaderización actual. Retos y perspectivas Rosario Pérez Espejo. 3/ El mejoramiento en el transporte colectivo. una necesidad insoslayable Bernardo Navarro Benitez. 8/ La reconversión industrial también afecta al sector educativo Leticia Campos, 10/ México y el marco internacional de la inflación Mario J. Zepeda M. 12/ El petróleo y el conflicto del Medio Oriente Arturo Bonilla. 13

Momento Económico (29)

En este número Temas de hoy, 2/ 1987: ¿Nueva política fiscal? Marcela Astudillo Moya, 3/ 1987: ¿Hacia la inflación más alta de la historia? M.J. Zepeda. 5/ El presupuesto para 1987. Nuevamente el peso de la deuda pública. Constantino Pérez Morales, 6/ Desempleo y crisis económica, Patricia Olave C. 10/ Estados Unidos: ¿Fortaleza ó debilidad? El fin de la transnacionalización, José Rangel, 13

Self-reported periodontal disease and its association with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Introduction: Knowledge of the oral manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the new coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, was hindered due to the restrictions issued to avoid proximity between people and to stop the rapid spread of the disease, which ultimately results in a hyperinflammatory cytokine storm that can cause death. Because periodontal disease is one of the most frequent inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, various theories have emerged postulating periodontal disease as a risk factor for developing severe complications associated with COVID-19. This motivated various studies to integrate questions related to periodontal status. For the present work, we used a previously validated self-report, which is a useful tool for facilitating epidemiological studies of periodontal disease on a large scale. Methodology: A blinded case-control study with participants matched 1:1 by mean age (37.7 years), sex, tobacco habits and diseases was conducted. After the diagnostic samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection were taken in an ad hoc location at Guadalajara University, the subjects were interviewed using structured questionnaires to gather demographic, epidemiological and COVID-19 symptom information. The self-reported periodontal disease (Self-RPD) questionnaire included six questions, and subjects who met the criteria with a score ≥ 2 were considered to have periodontal disease. Results: In total, 369 participants were recruited, with 117 participants included in each group. After indicating the subjects who had self-reported periodontal disease, a statistically significant difference (p value ≤ 0.001) was observed, showing that self-reported periodontal disease (n = 95, 85.1%) was higher in SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals than in controls (n = 66, 56.4%), with an OR of 3.3 (1.8–6.0) for SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with self-reported periodontal disease. Cases reported a statistically higher median of symptoms (median = 7.0, Q1= 5.5, Q3 = 10.0) than controls (p value ≤ 0.01), and cases with positive self-RPD had a significantly (p value ≤ 0.05) higher number of symptoms (median = 8.0, Q1 = 6.0,Q3 = 10.0) in comparison with those who did negative self-RPD (median = 6.0, Q1 = 5.0, Q3 = 8.0). Conclusions: According to this study, self-reported periodontal disease could be considered a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and these individuals present more symptoms

Parkinson’s disease in older adults with frailty

Carta al editor104-10

Using magnetic resonance imaging to measure head muscles: An innovative method to opportunistically determine muscle mass and detect sarcopenia

Background Sarcopenia is associated with multiple adverse outcomes. Traditional methods to determine low muscle mass for the diagnosis of sarcopenia are mainly based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioelectrical impedance analysis. These tests are not always available and are rather time consuming and expensive. However, many brain and head diseases require a head MRI. In this study, we aim to provide a more accessible way to detect sarcopenia by comparing the traditional method of DXA lean mass estimation versus the tongue and masseter muscle mass assessed in a standard brain MRI. Methods The H70 study is a longitudinal study of older people living in Gothenburg, Sweden. In this cross-sectional analysis, from 1203 participants aged 70 years at baseline, we included 495 with clinical data and MRI images available. We used the appendicular lean soft tissue index (ALSTI) in DXA images as our reference measure of lean mass. Images from the masseter and tongue were analysed and segmented using 3D Slicer. For the statistical analysis, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used, and concordance was estimated with the Kappa coefficient. Results The final sample consisted of 495 participants, of which 52.3% were females. We found a significant correlation coefficient between both tongue (0.26) and masseter (0.33) with ALSTI (P < 0.001). The sarcopenia prevalence confirmed using the alternative muscle measure in MRI was calculated using the ALSTI (tongue = 2.0%, masseter = 2.2%, ALSTI = 2.4%). Concordance between sarcopenia with masseter and tongue versus sarcopenia with ALSTI as reference has a Kappa of 0.989 (P < 0.001) for masseter and a Kappa of 1 for the tongue muscle (P < 0.001). Comorbidities evaluated with the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale were significantly associated with all the muscle measurements: ALSTI (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.26, P < 0.001), masseter (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07–1.26, P < 0.001) and tongue (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.22, P = 0.002); the higher the comorbidities, the higher the probability of having abnormal muscle mass. Conclusions ALSTI was significantly correlated with tongue and masseter muscle mass. When performing the sarcopenia diagnostic algorithm, the prevalence of sarcopenia calculated with head muscles did not differ from sarcopenia calculated using DXA, and almost all participants were correctly classified using both methods.publishedVersio

Asociación de Fatiga con Sarcopenia y sus elementos : SABE Bogotá 2012

La sarcopenia, la fatiga y la depresión se asocian a mayor mortalidad y desenlaces adversos en la población de adultos mayores. Recientemente, el European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People sugirió agregar las pruebas de desempeño físico (velocidad de la marcha y fuerza de prensión) a la medición de masa muscular para el diagnóstico de sarcopenia. La detección temprana es de vital importancia para su diagnóstico y manejo. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la asociación entre sarcopenia y sus elementos con depresión y fatiga

Association of fatigue with sarcopenia and its elements : a secondary analysis of SABE-Bogotá

Abstract Objective: Sarcopenia, fatigue, and depression are associated with higher mortality rates and adverse outcomes in the aging population. Understanding the association among clinical variables, mainly symptoms, is important for screening and appropriately managing these conditions. The aim of this article is to evaluate the association among sarcopenia and its elements with depression and fatigue. Method: We used cross-sectional data from 2012 SABE (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento)-Bogotá study, which included 2,000 participants of ages ≥60 years. Sarcopenia and its elements were taken as the dependent variable, while fatigue and depression were the main independent variables. We tested the association among these through multiple logistic regression models, which were fitted for each dependent variable and adjusted for confounding variables. Results: Our findings showed that gait speed was associated with fatigue (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.05, 1.90], p = .02) as well as abnormal handgrip strength (adjusted OR = 1.40, 95% CI = [1.02, 1.93], p = .04). No other associations were significant. Conclusion: While sarcopenia and fatigue are not associated, two of the sarcopenia-defining variables are associated with fatigue; this suggests that lack of sarcopenia does not exclude undesirable outcomes related to fatigue in aging adults. Also, the lack of association between sarcopenia-defining elements and depression demonstrates that depression and fatigue are different concepts.Completo1-7Abstract Objective: Sarcopenia, fatigue, and depression are associated with higher mortality rates and adverse outcomes in the aging population. Understanding the association among clinical variables, mainly symptoms, is important for screening and appropriately managing these conditions. The aim of this article is to evaluate the association among sarcopenia and its elements with depression and fatigue. Method: We used cross-sectional data from 2012 SABE (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento)-Bogotá study, which included 2,000 participants of ages ≥60 years. Sarcopenia and its elements were taken as the dependent variable, while fatigue and depression were the main independent variables. We tested the association among these through multiple logistic regression models, which were fitted for each dependent variable and adjusted for confounding variables. Results: Our findings showed that gait speed was associated with fatigue (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.05, 1.90], p = .02) as well as abnormal handgrip strength (adjusted OR = 1.40, 95% CI = [1.02, 1.93], p = .04). No other associations were significant. Conclusion: While sarcopenia and fatigue are not associated, two of the sarcopenia-defining variables are associated with fatigue; this suggests that lack of sarcopenia does not exclude undesirable outcomes related to fatigue in aging adults. Also, the lack of association between sarcopenia-defining elements and depression demonstrates that depression and fatigue are different concepts

Specific neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with functional decline trajectories in Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia: a five-year follow-up study

Background Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are often overlooked and under-identified symptoms associated with dementia, despite their significant impact on the prognosis of individuals living with the disease. The specific role of certain NPS in functional prognosis remains unclear. Aims To determine the association of different NPS with functional decline in people living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Lewy body dementia (LBD). Methods This is an analysis of data from the Dementia Study of Western Norway (DemVest) with 196 patients included of which 111 had AD and 85 LBD. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Rapid Disability Rating Scale (RDRS-2) for activities of daily living were administered annually for 5 years. NPI total score and individual items with RDRS-2 trajectories were analyzed with linear mixed models. Results The LBD group exhibited higher levels of functional impairment and a greater burden of NPS at baseline. Over the 5-year follow-up, hallucinations, aggression, depression, anxiety, apathy, disinhibition, aberrant motor behavior, nighttime behavior disturbances, and abnormal eating patterns were significantly associated with the decline in functional abilities in individuals with AD, as well as irritability and aberrant motor behavior in those with LBD. Discussion These results highlight the relevance of early detection and intervention of these particularly relevant NPS, due to its potential of also impacting physical function. Better detection and management of these NPS could improve functional prognosis in people living with dementia. Conclusion Specific NPS demonstrate relevant distinct associations with Longitudinal trajectories of functional decline in AD and LBD.publishedVersio

Association between Grip Strength and Comorbidities: SABE Ecuador 2009 Study

Introducción: el aumento de enfermedades crónicas ha motivado la creación de métodos de evaluación del adulto mayor que permitan estimar su estado general de salud. Entre estos, se ha propuesto la fuerza de prensión. El objetivo de este estudio fue buscar la asociación entre el número de comorbilidades y la fuerza de prensión. Materiales y métodos: se analizaron los datos del estudio sabe Ecuador 2009, un estudio transversal que incluyó una muestra probabilística y representativa de 5235 adultos mayores de 60 años o más. La variable dependiente fue el desempeño en la fuerza de prensión y la sumatoria de comorbilidades, como la variable independiente. Se realizó un modelo de regresión logística lineal para estimar asociaciones independientes. Resultados: de un total de 5235 personas, la media de la suma de comorbilidades fue 1.54 ± 1.36 y la media de la fuerza de prensión fue de 21.45 ± 9.37 kg. Se encontró una asociación negativa de la fuerza de prensión y la suma de comorbilidades, desde 0 comorbilidades -0.88, hasta más de 6 comorbilidades -3.52 (p < 0.05). Ninguna enfermedad por sí sola tuvo mayor asociación con la disminución de la fuerza muscular que el tener más de dos enfermedades concomitantes. Conclusiones: este estudio encontró una asociación lineal negativa entre la fuerza de prensión y la sumatoria de comorbilidades. Los resultados reportados abren la puerta para plantear nuevos estudios que permitan desarrollar herramientas de evaluación que beneficien a la población adulta mayor.Q4Artículo original309-320Introduction: The increase of chronic pathologies is a consequence of the demographic transition which represents a challenge for current societies. Concurrently this motivated the development of new methods for evaluating the elderly which allow estimating their health state of health, that amongst others include the grip strength. The objective of this study was to look for the association between the number of present comorbidities and the grip strength. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from sabe Ecuador 2009 study, a cross-sectional study that includes a probabilistic and representative sample of 5235 older adults of 60 years or older living in the community. The dependent variable was the performance in the grip strength and the sum of comorbidities as the independent variable. A linear logistic regression model was used to estimate independent associations. Results: Out of a total of 5235 people, the mean of the sum of comorbidities was 1.54 ± 1.36, and the average of the grip strength was 21.45kg ± 9.37 kg. We found a negative linear association of the grip strength and the sum of comorbidities, from one comorbidity -0.88 up to more than six comorbidities -3.52 (p <0.05). No disease by itself had a higher association with the decrease in muscle strength than having two or more concomitant afflictions. Conclusions: This study found a negative association between grip strength and the presence of comorbidities. Our results open the door to propose new studies to develop assessment tools that benefit the elderly population