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Alberto Cella,1 Alberto Ferrari,2 Giuseppe Rengo,3 Vincenzo Solfrizzi,4 Nicola Veronese,5 Matteo Puntoni,6 Sabrina Zora,1 Alberto Pilotto,1,4 Filippo Fimognari7 On behalf of the SELFY-MPI SIGOT Investigators1Geriatric Unit, Department of Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, EO Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy; 2Geriatric Unit, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; 3Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Division of Geriatrics, Federico II University, Napoli, Italy; 4Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; 5Primary Care Department, Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, Venice, Italy; 6Scientific Coordination Unit, EO Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy; 7Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera di Cosenza, Cosenza, ItalyCorrespondence: Sabrina ZoraGeriatric Unit, Department of Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, EO Galliera Hospital, Genova, ItalyEmail sabrina.zora@galliera.itBackground: The Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) is a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)-based tool that has shown excellent accuracy in predicting negative health outcomes in older people. Recently, the self-administered version of MPI (SELFY-MPI) has been validated in a community-dwelling sample, revealing excellent agreement with the original MPI. In the SELFY-MPI, Gijon’s social-familial evaluation scale (SFES) was used to assess socio-relational and economic aspects. Completion of the SELFY-MPI, however, requires a significant amount of time in people aged over 60 years, particularly to fill in the SFES scale. The aim of this study was to validate, in a sample of community-dwelling older people, a short-form version of the SELFY-MPI (SELFY-MPI-SF), in which the SFES scale was replaced by the “co-habitation status” domain, as in the original version of the MPI.Methods: All participants included in the study completed both versions of the self-administered MPI, which share the following seven domains: 1) basic and 2) instrumental activities of daily living, 3) mobility, 4) cognition, 5) nutrition, 6) comorbidity, and 7) number of medications. Moreover, in the SELFY-MPI-SF, the 8th domain “co-habitation status” (ie living alone, with family or in a residential facility) replaced the SFES scale. The Bland–Altman methodology was applied in order to measure the agreement between the two instruments. Finally, the time to complete the SFES scale and the question on co-habitation was measured.Results: The final study sample was composed of 129 participants (mean age=76.8 years, range=65– 93 years, 64.3% women) were enrolled. The mean SELFY-MPI and SELFY-MPI-SF values were 0.221± 0.196 and 0.246± 0.188, respectively. The mean difference was clinically irrelevant (− 0.025± 0.058). None of the 129 observations showed values outside the established 5% limits of agreement. The agreement between SELFY-MPI and SELFY-MPI-SF was excellent (k=0.762; rho=0.924, p< 0.0001 for both). Stratified analyses of agreement among subgroups of participants of different ages did not show any significant differences between the two versions. Completion of the SFES required about 7mins, on average, while the question on habitation status required about 10 s.Conclusion: The SELFY-MPI-SF showed strong agreement and precision when compared with the standard SELFY-MPI in people aged 65 and older and can therefore be successfully used as a quicker self-administered frailty instrument in community-dwelling older people.Keywords: comprehensive geriatric assessment, multidimensional prognostic index, frailty, self assessment

Background and aims: Increasing literature data show that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is undergoing profound changes in recent years, albeit with marked differences across nations. In Italy, one of the cradles of the Mediterranean diet, the literature regarding the trend for Mediterranean diet adherence is conflicting. Thus, we aimed to explore the trends of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a large cohort of participants living in South Italy, over 20 years from 1985–86 to 2005–06. Methods and results: Cross-sectional study with two evaluations, one made in 1985–86 and another in 2005–06; all participants were adults aged 30–70 years of age. The adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the score proposed by Panagiotakos et al. This score features values ranging from 0 to 55, higher scores reflecting a greater adherence. The data are reported by age (30–49 vs. 50–69 years). Overall, 2451 subjects were included in 1985–86 and 2375 in 2005–06. A significant reduction was observed in the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (age 30–49 years: 31.82 ± 4.18 in 1985–86 vs. 29.20 ± 4.48 in 2005–06, reduction by 8.2%, p < 0.0001; age 50–69: 32.20 ± 4.09 in 1985–86 vs.30.15 ± 4.27 in 2005–06, reduction by 6.3%, p < 0.0001). Among all these items, the most dramatic change was observed for olive oil consumption, that decreased by 2.35 points in younger and 0.89 in older people. Conclusion: The adherence to the Mediterranean diet decreased from 1985–86 to 2005–06 in South Italy, particularly in younger people, above all due to a decreased olive oil consumption. © 2019 The Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has dramatically changed our lives. In the past months, hospitals were saturated of patients; therefore, it is still important to have simple and standardized prognostic factors and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of medications commonly used for COVID-19. We aimed to collect data of the patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Wards at the University Hospital (Policlinico) ‘P. Giaccone’ in Palermo, Italy (COMEPA, COVID-19 Medicina Policlinico Palermo), with the main purpose of finding prognostic tools that can be easily used in clinical practice in order to identify patients hospitalized for/with COVID-19 at higher risk of negative outcomes, such as mortality, transfer to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and institutionalization, as well as evaluating the efficacy/safety of medications commonly used for COVID-19. For reaching these aims, the medical records of approximately 600 patients will be recorded, having data on several parameters and including as outcomes mortality, ICU placement, institutionalization. With the COMEPA study, we therefore plan to update current literature, giving new data on prognostic factors and on the efficacy/safety of some medications used for COVID-19.

Background: Higher Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) scores are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the effects of DII on mortality in Mediterranean countries. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential association between DII scores and overall, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in people living in a Mediterranean area. Methods: DII scores were calculated using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. DII scores were then categorised into tertiles. Mortality was ascertained via death certificates. The association between DII scores with overall and cause-specific mortality was assessed via a multivariable Cox's regression analysis and reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The study included 1565 participants (mean age65.5years; females44.7%). After a median follow-up of 12years (2005–2017), 366 (23.4%) participants died. After adjusting for 17 potential confounders, people with higher DII scores had an increased risk of death compared to those in the lowest (most anti-inflammatory) tertile (HR=1.38; 95% CI=1.04–1.82 for the second tertile; HR=1.38; 95% CI=1.03–1.86 for the third tertile). Each 1 SD increase in DII score increased the risk of death by 13%. No association was found between DII scores and cancer or CVD death when considered separately. Conclusions: Higher DII scores were associated with a significantly higher mortality risk, whereas the association with cause-specific mortality was less clear. These findings highlight the potential importance of diet in modulating inflammation and preventing death. © 2019 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.

Background: The topic of prognosis in COVID-19 research may be important in adopting appropriate clinical decisions. Multidimensional prognostic index (MPI) is a frailty assessment tool widely used for stratifying prognosis in older people, but data regarding inpatients, affected by COVID-19, are not available. Objectives: To evaluate whether MPI can predict in-hospital mortality and the admission to intensive care unit (ICU) in older inpatients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. Methods: In this longitudinal, Italian, multi-center study, older patients with COVID-19 were included. MPI was calculated using eight different domains typical of comprehensive geriatric assessment and categorized in three groups (MPI 1 ≤ 0.33, MPI 2 0.34–0.66, MPI 3 > 0.66). A multivariable Cox's regression analysis was used reporting the results as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: 227 older patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled (mean age: 80.5 years, 59% females). Inpatients in the MPI 3 were subjected less frequently than those in the MPI 1 to non-invasive ventilation (NIV). In the multivariable analysis, people in MPI 3 experienced a higher risk of in hospital mortality (HR = 6.30, 95%CI: 1.44–27.61), compared to MPI 1. The accuracy of MPI in predicting in hospital mortality was good (Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.68–0.83). People in MPI 3 experienced a significant longer length of stay (LOS) in hospital compared to other participants. No association between MPI and ICU admission was found. Conclusions: Frailty- as assessed by high MPI score - was associated with a significant higher risk of in-hospital mortality, longer LOS, and lower use NIV, whilst the association with ICU admission was not significant. These findings suggest that prognostic stratification by using the MPI could be useful in clinical decision making in older inpatients affected by COVID-19. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Objectives:\ud \ud The aim of this umbrella review was to determine the effect of physical activity/exercise on improving cognitive and noncognitive outcomes in people with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and dementia.\ud \ud Design:\ud \ud Umbrella review of systematic reviews (SR), with or without meta-analyses (MAs), of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.\ud \ud Settings and Participants:\ud \ud People with MCI or dementia, confirmed through validated assessment measures. Any form of physical activity/exercise was included. As controls, we included participants not following any prespecified physical activity/exercise intervention or following the same standard protocol with the intervention group.\ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CDR 164197). Major databases were searched until December 31, 2019. The certainty of evidence of statistically significant outcomes was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. SRs' findings, without a formal MA, were reported descriptively.\ud \ud Results:\ud \ud Among 1160 articles initially evaluated, 27 SRs (all of RCTs, 9 without MA) for a total of 28,205 participants with MCI/dementia were included. In patients with MCI, mind-body intervention (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.36; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.20–0.52; low certainty) and mixed physical activity interventions (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI 0.11–0.49; moderate certainty) had a small effect on global cognition, whereas resistance training (SMD = 0.80; 95% CI 0.29–1.31; very low certainty) had a large effect on global cognition. In people affected by dementia, physical activity/exercise was effective in improving global cognition in Alzheimer disease (SMD = 1.10; 95% CI 0.65–1.64; very low certainty) and in all types of dementia (SMD = 0.48; 95% CI 0.22–0.74; low certainty). Finally, physical activity/exercise improved noncognitive outcomes in people with dementia including falls, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.\ud \ud Conclusions and Implications:\ud \ud Supported by very low-to-moderate certainty of evidence, physical activity/exercise has a positive effect on several cognitive and noncognitive outcomes in people with MCI and dementia, but RCTs, with low risk of bias/confounding, are still needed to confirm these relationships.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to obtain a consensus on oral health policy, access to dental care, oral hygiene measures and training levels.BackgroundPoor oral health is widespread in care-dependent older people, but no consensus for a minimum standard of oral health care exists yet.MethodsThe e-Delphi approach was applied to a selected panel of interdisciplinary experts. Data analysis was based on three measurements: (a) ≥70% of experts’ opinion fall into category “agree or strongly agree,” (b) median score on the 5-point Likert scale ≥4, (c) interquartile range ≤1.ResultsA total of 31 experts from 17 European countries participated in this survey. Agreement was achieved for a compulsory dental examination when an elder is admitted to a long-term care (LTC) facility. Older people should brush their teeth twice/day and regularly clean interproximal spaces and oral mucosa. Dentures should be rinsed after meals and cleaned twice/day. The use of denture cleansing tablets was considered necessary. Dentures should be removed before sleeping and stored dry. A 5000 ppm fluoride toothpaste should be applied daily in elder with high caries risk. A short report on the oral health status of the elder should be included in the geriatric assessment. All experts concluded that the knowledge and the training in oral health care for caregivers and family members of care-dependent older people were imperative.ConclusionsUsing the e-Delphi method, multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from different countries agreed on certain cardinal recommendations for a standard oral health care for care-dependent older people.

To investigate potential relationships between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and negative health outcomes and mortality, through an umbrella review with integrated meta-analyses. Orthostatic hypotension is significantly associated with several negative outcomes in older people, but a suggestive evidence is available only for higher risk of coronary heart disease congestive heart failure, stroke, falls dementia, and all-cause mortality. Orthostatic hypotension seems to be significantly associated with several negative health outcomes in older people, even if only associations with coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, falls, dementia, and all-cause mortality are supported by suggestive evidence. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is associated with older age and many negative clinical outcomes in geriatric practice. We aimed to capture the breadth of outcomes that have been associated with the presence of OH and systematically assess the quality, strength and credibility of these associations using an umbrella review with integrated meta-analyses. We systematically searched several major databases from their commencements through to 16th May 2019 for meta-analyses of observational studies of OH and any health-related outcome. We used these metrics to categorize the strength of evidence of significant outcomes (p

To summarize the prevalence of diabetes in people with sarcopenia (and vice versa) through a meta-analytic approach of available observational studies. In this work, we have presented the findings of the first full methodological systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies exploring the relationship between diabetes and sarcopenia. Our findings overall emphasize the reciprocal relationship between diabetes and sarcopenia in terms of risk of occurrence, that is sarcopenia increases the risk of diabetes being present and vice versa. This study provides support for further research into the prognosis of people with both diabetes and sarcopenia and the value of interventional strategies in sarcopenia to minimize adverse outcomes such as premature death, hospitalization, and disability. Sarcopenia and diabetes are two common conditions in older people. Some recent literature has proposed that these two conditions can be associated. However, to date, no attempt has been made to collate this literature. Therefore, we aimed to summarize the prevalence of sarcopenia in diabetes (and vice versa) and the prevalence of sarcopenia in people with diabetes complications, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Two authors searched major electronic databases from inception until March 2019 for case control/cross-sectional/longitudinal studies investigating sarcopenia and diabetes. The strength of the reciprocal associations between sarcopenia and diabetes was assessed through odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for potential confounders, where possible. From 953 potential eligible articles, 20 were included in the systematic review, with 17 providing data for meta-analysis. Overall, 54,676 participants were included (mean age = 65.4 years). Diabetic participants had an increased prevalence of sarcopenia compared to controls (n = 10; OR = 1.635; 95% CI 1.204–2.220; p = 0.002; I2 = 67%), whilst, after adjusting for potential confounders, sarcopenia was associated with an increased odds of having diabetes (OR = 2.067; 95% CI 1.396–3.624; p

Background Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) is useful as a prognostic tool in hospitalized older patients, but our knowledge is derived from retrospective studies. We therefore aimed to evaluate in a multicenter, longitudinal, cohort study whether the MPI at hospital admission is useful to identify groups with different mortality risk and whether MPI at discharge may predict institutionalization, rehospitalization, and use of home care services during 12 months. Methods This longitudinal study, carried out between February 2015 and August 2017, included nine public hospitals in Europe and Australia. A standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment including information on functional, nutritional, cognitive status, risk of pressure sores, comorbidities, medications, and cohabitation status was used to calculate the MPI and to categorize participants in low, moderate, and severe risk of mortality. Data regarding mortality, institutionalization, rehospitalization, and use of home care services were recorded through administrative information. Results Altogether, 1,140 hospitalized patients (mean age 84.1 years, women = 60.8%) were included. In the multivariable analysis, compared to patients with low risk group at admission, patients in moderate (odds ratio [OR] = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.79–6.17; p < .001) and severe risk (OR = 10.72, 95% CI: 5.70–20.18, p < .0001) groups were at higher risk of overall mortality. Among the 984 older patients with follow-up data available, those in the severe-risk group experienced a higher risk of overall mortality, institutionalization, rehospitalization, and access to home care services. Conclusions In this cohort of hospitalized older adults, higher MPI values are associated with higher mortality and other negative outcomes. Multidimensional assessment of older people admitted to hospital may facilitate appropriate clinical and postdischarge management.

Background/Aim: Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are a heterogeneous class of particles that differ in size and density from each other. Small dense LDL (sdLDL) particles are considered more atherogenic than larger particles. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of sdLDL in patients who died from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) or cancer in a cohort of patients followed up in the De Bellis Research Hospital for 20 years. Patients and Methods: A total of 75 participants who died of cancer and 87 who died of CVD were enrolled and they were matched for age and sex with 135 healthy controls, i.e. without CVD or cancer and are still alive. Results: Patients who died from cancer had the highest value of LDL IV subfraction (0.25±1.16), followed by those who died from CVD (0.17±0.96). Conclusion: The integrated profile of sdLDL between CVD and cancer suggests that therapeutic modulation of sdLDL may be associated with a risk reduction for these diseases. © 2019 International Institute of Anticancer Research. All rights reserved.

Purpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) and frailty are common geriatric syndromes. Although literature increasingly supports a relationship between these two conditions, no systematic review and meta-analysis has been performed on this topic. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential association between UI and frailty, through a meta-analytic approach. Methods: A systematic search in major databases was undertaken until 15th March 2018 for studies reporting the association between UI and frailty. The prevalence of UI in people with frailty (vs. those without) was pooled through an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with a random-effects model. The other outcomes were summarized descriptively. Results: Among 828 papers, 11 articles were eligible, including 3784 participants (mean age 78.2years; 55.1% women). The prevalence of UI was 39.1% in people with frailty and 19.4% in those without. A meta-analysis with five studies (1540 participants) demonstrated that UI was over twice as likely in frail people versus those without (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.35–3.86; I2 = 61%). One cross-sectional study, adjusting for potential confounders and one longitudinal study confirmed that UI is significantly associated with frailty. In two cross-sectional studies, using adjusted analyses, frailty was more common in people with UI. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence is twice as common in older people with frailty compared to older people without frailty. Screening and the development of interventions for UI and frailty could prove useful for this common comorbidity. © 2018, European Geriatric Medicine Society.

Background & Aims: The use of ultrasound scan (US) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) screening overloads US waiting lists. We hypothesized and tested a hybrid two-step method, consisting of applying a formula, to exclude subjects at low risk, before US. Methods: The sample included 2970 males and females (937 with NAFLD) diagnosed by US. We selected eight formulas: Fatty Liver Index (FLI), Hepatic Steatosis Index (HIS), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist/height0.5 (WHT.5R) and Body Roundness Index (BRI), and calculated their performance in the two-step method evaluating percentage reduction of the number of liver US (US reduction percentage), percentage of false negative and percentage of NAFLD identified. Results: The US reductions percentage were 52.2% (WHtR), 52.1% (HIS), 51.8% (FLI), 50.8% (BRI), 50.7% (BMI and WHt_5R), 46.5% (WC) and 45.2% (AVI). The false negative percentage were 8.5% (WHtR), 7.9% (BRI), 7.3% (WHt_5R), 7.2% (BMI), 6.7% (HIS), 6.6% (FLI), 5.6% (WC) and 5.2% (AVI). The best percentage of NALFD identified was obtained using AVI (83.6%) before US, then WC (82.2%), FLI (79%), HIS (78.9%), BMI (77.3%), WHt_5R (76.9%), BRI (74.8%) and WHtR (73%). Conclusion: The best formula to use in two-step diagnostic NAFLD screening was AVI, which showed a low false negative rate and a higher percentage of identified NAFLD. Other studies evaluating the economic advantages of this screening method are warranted. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Objective: To evaluate whether treatment with antidementia drugs is associated with reduced mortality in older patients with different mortality risk at baseline. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Community-dwelling. Participants: A total of 6818 older people who underwent a Standardized Multidimensional Assessment Schedule for Adults and Aged Persons (SVaMA) evaluation to determine accessibility to homecare services or nursing home admission from 2005 to 2013 in the Padova Health District, Italy were included. Measurements: Mortality risk at baseline was calculated by the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), based on information collected with the SVaMA. Participants were categorized to have mild (MPI-SVaMA-1), moderate (MPI-SVaMA-2), and high (MPI-SVaMA-3) mortality risk. Propensity score-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 2-year mortality were calculated according to antidementia drug treatment. Results: Patients treated with antidementia drugs had a significant lower risk of death than untreated patients (HR 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73–0.92 and 0.56; 95% CI 0.49–0.65 for patients treated less than 2 years and more than 2 years treatment, respectively). After dividing patients according to their MPI-SVaMA grade, antidementia treatment was significantly associated with reduced mortality in the MPI-SVaMA-1 mild (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.54–0.92) and MPI-SVaMA-2 moderate risk (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40–0.91, matched sample), but not in the MPI-SVaMA-3 high risk of death. Conclusions: This large community-dwelling patient study suggests that antidementia drugs might contribute to increased survival in older adults with dementia with lower mortality risk. © 2017 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine

Coffee drinking seems to have several beneficial effects on health outcomes. However, the effect on hepatic steatosis, depending on a high alcohol consumption (AFLD, alcoholic fatty liver disease) or on metabolic factors (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD), is still equivocal. Thus, we aimed to explore the potential association between coffee consumption and the presence and severity of hepatic steatosis in people with NAFLD or AFLD. In this cross-sectional study, coffee drinking was recorded using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and categorized as yes vs. no and as 0, 1, 2, ≥3. The degree of fatty liver was assessed through a standardized ultrasound examination (score 0 to 6, with higher values reflecting higher severity). Liver steatosis was classified as NAFLD or AFLD on daily alcohol intake >30 g/day for men and >20 g/day for women. This study included 2819 middle-aged participants, the great majority were coffee drinkers (86.1%). After adjusting for 12 potential confounders, drinking coffee was not associated with decreased odds for NAFLD (n = 916) (odds ratio, OR = 0.93, 95% confidence intervals, CI: 0.72-1.20) or AFLD (n = 276) (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.66-2.0). The consumption of coffee (categorized as yes vs. no), or an increased consumption of coffee were not associated with the presence of mild, moderate or severe liver steatosis in either NAFLD or AFLD. In conclusion, coffee intake was not associated with any lower odds of hepatic steatosis in either non-alcoholic or alcoholic forms in this large cohort of South Italian individuals. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Purpose: Osteoarthritis, a disease characterized by cartilage degradation, abnormal subchondral bone remodeling and some grade of inflammation, and sarcopenia, a condition of low muscle mass associated with reduced strength and function, are prevalent disorders in older adults. In this review, we examine what is known about the relationship between osteoarthritis and sarcopenia, with particular focus on the older population. We also discuss how osteoarthritis and sarcopenia may interact and affect each other in clinical progression and the potential benefits from developing treatments that address such muscular-skeletal interaction. Methods: We searched in Pubmed and Scopus through a combination of search and MESH terms, for osteoarthritis and sarcopenia. Results: Even if more literature is needed, there is increasing evidence that decline in lower limb muscle strength is associated with knee or hip osteoarthritis in a pathological network of pain, altered joint stability, maladapted postures and defective neuromuscular communication. At the cellular levels, chondrocytes and myoblasts share common pathways, and the close anatomical location of both cell types also suggest the possibility of paracrine communication. Conclusions: Sarcopenia and osteoarthritis are significantly intercorrelated and in the near future should be considered as an only entity, as we have recently proposed for sarcopenia and osteoporosis. The treatment of both sarcopenia and osteoarthritis is based on physical exercise and nutritional interventions with the aim of improving cartilage, bone and muscle health. Future studies are needed, particularly to know the exact prevalence of sarcopenia in people with osteoarthritis, its peculiar consequences and the most appropriate treatments. © 2018, European Geriatric Medicine Society.

Summary This systematic review summarizes the effect of\ud combined exercise and nutrition intervention on muscle mass\ud and muscle function. A total of 37 RCTs were identified.\ud Results indicate that physical exercise has a positive impact\ud on muscle mass and muscle function in subjects aged 65 years\ud and older. However, any interactive effect of dietary supplementation\ud appears to be limited.\ud Introduction In 2013, Denison et al. conducted a systematic\ud review including 17 randomized controlled trials\ud (RCTs) to explore the effect of combined exercise and\ud nutrition intervention to improve muscle mass, muscle\ud strength, or physical performance in older people.\ud They concluded that further studies were needed to provide\ud evidence upon which public health and clinical\ud recommendations could be based. The purpose of the\ud present work was to update the prior systematic review\ud and include studies published up to October 2015.\ud Methods Using the electronic databases MEDLINE and\ud EMBASE, we identified RCTs which assessed the combined\ud effect of exercise training and nutritional supplementation on\ud muscle strength, muscle mass, or physical performance in\ud subjects aged 60 years and over. Study selection and data\ud extraction were performed by two independent reviewers.\ud Results The search strategy identified 21 additional RCTs giving\ud a total of 37 RCTs. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of\ud protocols for physical exercise and dietary supplementation\ud (proteins, essential amino acids, creatine, β-hydroxy-β-methylbuthyrate, vitamin D, multi-nutrients, or other). In 79%\ud of the studies (27/34 RCTs), muscle mass increased with exercise\ud but an additional effect of nutrition was only found in 8\ud RCTs (23.5%). Muscle strength increased in 82.8% of the\ud studies (29/35 RCTs) following exercise intervention, and dietary\ud supplementation showed additional benefits in only a\ud small number of studies (8/35 RCTS, 22.8%). Finally, the\ud majority of studies showed an increase of physical performance\ud following exercise intervention (26/28 RCTs, 92.8%)\ud but interaction with nutrition supplementation was only found\ud in 14.3% of these studies (4/28 RCTs).\ud Conclusion Physical exercise has a positive impact on muscle\ud mass and muscle function in healthy subjects aged 60 years\ud and older. The biggest effect of exercise intervention, of any\ud type, has been seen on physical performance (gait speed, chair\ud rising test, balance, SPPB test, etc.). We observed huge variations\ud in regard to the dietary supplementation protocols.\ud Based on the included studies, mainly performed on wellnourished\ud subjects, the interactive effect of dietary supplementation\ud on muscle function appears limited.

Frailty is an aging related condition, which has been defined as a state of enhanced vulnerability to stressors, leading to a limited capacity to meet homeostatic demands. Cognitive impairment is also frequent in older people, often accompanying frailty. Age is the main independent risk factor for both frailty and cognitive impairment, and compelling evidence suggests that similar age-associated mechanisms could underlie both clinical conditions. Accordingly, it has been suggested that frailty and cognitive impairment share common pathways, and some authors proposed “cognitive frailty” as a single complex phenotype. Nevertheless, so far, no clear common underlying pathways have been discovered for both conditions. microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key fine-tuning regulators in most physiological processes, as well as pathological conditions. Importantly, miRNAs have been proposed as both peripheral biomarkers and potential molecular factors involved in physiological and pathological aging. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking changes of selected miRNAs expression with frailty and cognitive impairment. Overall, miR-92a-5p and miR-532-5p, as well as other miRNAs implicated in pathological aging, should be investigated as potential biomarkers (and putative molecular effectors) of cognitive frailty.

The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of glucocorticoid therapy in patients with COVID-19. A systematic search of the literature across nine databases was conducted from inception until 15th March 2020, following the PRISMA guidelines. Patients with a validated diagnosis of COVID-19 and using corticosteroids were included, considering all health outcomes. Four studies with 542 Chinese participants were included. Two studies reported negative findings regarding the use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19, i.e., corticosteroids had a detrimental impact on clinical outcomes. One study reported no significant association between the use of corticosteroids and clinical outcomes. However, one study, on 201 participants with different stages of pneumonia due to COVID-19, found that in more severe forms, the administration of methylprednisolone significantly reduced the risk of death by 62%. The literature to date does not fully support the routine use of corticosteroids in COVID-19, but some findings suggest that methylprednisolone could lower mortality rate in more severe forms of the condition. © 2020 Veronese, Demurtas, Yang, Tonelli, Barbagallo, Lopalco, Lagolio, Celotto, Pizzol, Zou, Tully, Ilie, Trott, López-Sánchez and Smith.

BackgroundDepression and pain are leading causes of global disability. However, there is a paucity of multinational population data assessing the association between depression and pain, particularly among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where both are common. Therefore, we investigated this association across 47 LMICs.MethodsCommunity-based data on 273 952 individuals from 47 LMICs were analysed. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision depression/depression subtypes (over the past 12 months) and pain in the previous 30 days based on self-reported data. Country-wide meta-analysis adjusting for age and sex was also conducted.ResultsThe prevalence of severe pain was 8.0, 28.2, 20.2, and 34.0% for no depression, subsyndromal depression, brief depressive episode, and depressive episode, respectively. Logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographic variables, anxiety and chronic medical conditions (arthritis, diabetes, angina, asthma) demonstrated that compared with no depression, subsyndromal depression, brief depressive episode, and depressive episode were associated with a 2.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83–2.55], 1.45 (95% CI 1.22–1.73), and 2.11 (95% CI 1.87–2.39) increase in odds of severe pain, respectively. Similar results were obtained when a continuous pain scale was used as the outcome. Depression was significantly associated with severe pain in 44/47 countries with a pooled odds ratio of 3.93 (95% CI 3.54–4.37).ConclusionDepression and severe pain are highly comorbid across LMICs, independent of anxiety and chronic medical conditions. Whether depression treatment or pain management in patients with comorbid pain and depression leads to better clinical outcome is an area for future research.

Introduction: Despite respiratory disease being a major cause of excess mortality in people with schizophrenia, the prevalence of respiratory conditions in this population is poorly defined. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to establish the prevalence and association of respiratory diseases in people with schizophrenia. Material and methods: Major electronic databases were searched from inception to 27 April 2020 for articles reporting respiratory disease (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], pneumonia, and tuberculosis) in people with schizophrenia and, where possible, a control group. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018115137). Results: Of 1569 citations, 21 studies consisting of 619,214 individuals with schizophrenia and 52,159,551 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to the general population, people with schizophrenia had significantly higher rates of COPD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.28–2.57), asthma (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.02–2.83), and pneumonia (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.10–6.23). In people with schizophrenia, the prevalence of COPD was 7.7% (95% CI: 4.0–14.4), asthma 7.5% (95% CI: 4.9–11.3), pneumonia 10.3% (95% CI 5.4–18.6), and tuberculosis 0.3% (95% CI 0.1 –0.8). After adjusting for publication bias, the prevalence of COPD increased to 19.9% (95% CI: 9.6–36.7). Discussion: All respiratory diseases examined were significantly more prevalent in people with schizophrenia compared with the general population. Future studies should focus on improving the prevention and management of respiratory disease in this group to reduce associated excess mortality. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Purpose: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually represent an aging population, and both older age and CKD are associated with a higher risk of falling. Studies on risk factors among subjects with CKD are lacking. Methods: Records of outpatients from one geriatric clinic in Turkey were retrospectively reviewed. A result of ≥ 13.5 s on the timed up and go (TUG) test was accepted as a high risk of falls. Independent predictors of an increased risk of falls among subjects with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate of < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) were identified using logistic regression models. Results: Patients with CKD (n = 205), represented the 20.2% of the entire cohort and was identified as an independent predictor of increased fall risk (OR 2.59). Within the CKD cohort, serum folic acid levels and frailty were independent predictors of an increased risk of falls. The CKD/fall risk group was older, had a lower median years of education, lower vitamin D levels, and lower serum folic acid levels than the CKD/non-fall risk group. In addition to higher serum creatinine and potassium levels, the only significant difference between patients with CKD/fall risk and a matched non-CKD/fall risk was a lower median folic acid level in the former group. Conclusions: Frailty and low folic acid levels are independently associated with an increased risk of falls among elderly outpatients with CKD. Prevention of frailty may reduce the risk of falls in these subjects. Possible benefit of folic acid supplementation requires further studies. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.

This statement addresses the need to provide clinically relevant and practical guidance for long-term care staff working in care homes and other stakeholders engaged in the care of residents who require consideration for dexamethasone and oxygen therapy. It had been provided following a series of consensus discussions between the EDWPOP and the EuGMS in January and February 2021. Its main aim is to minimise morbidity and mortality from serious acute illnesses including COVID-19 requiring these treatments within the long-term care sector.

Background:\ud \ud There are currently no studies on visual impairment and sarcopenia. We investigated the cross-sectional association between objectively measured far vision impairment and sarcopenia in a nationally representative sample of older adults aged 65 years and over from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).\ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud Cross-sectional, community-based data from the study on global ageing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. Far vision acuity was measured using the tumbling E LogMAR chart and classified as: no vision impairment (6/12 or better); mild vision impairment (6/18 or better but worse than 6/12); moderate vision impairment (6/60 or better but worse than 6/18); severe vision impairment (worse than 6/60). Sarcopenia was defined as having low skeletal muscle mass and either a slow gait speed or a weak handgrip strength. Associations were assessed with multivariable logistic regression.\ud \ud Results:\ud \ud Fourteen thousand five hundred and eighty five individuals aged ≥ 65 years were included in the analysis [mean (SD) age 72.6 (11.5) years; 54.1% females]. After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, compared to those with no vision impairment, the OR (95% CI) for sarcopenia in those with mild, moderate, and severe vision impairment were 1.10 (0.87–1.40), 1.69 (1.25–2.27), and 3.38 (1.69–6.77), respectively. The estimates for females and males were similar.\ud \ud Conclusions:\ud \ud The odds for sarcopenia increased with increasing severity of far vision impairment among older people in LMICs. The mere co-occurrence of these conditions is concerning, and it may be prudent to implement interventions to address/prevent sarcopenia in those with far vision impairment through the promotion of physical activity and appropriate nutrition.

Aim: The association between visual impairment and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been investigated to date. Thus, we assessed this association among older adults from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (China, India, Ghana, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa) using nationally representative datasets. Methods: Cross-sectional, community-based data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. Visual acuity was measured using the tumbling ElogMAR chart, and vision impairment (at distance and near) was defined as visual acuity worse than 6/18 (0.48 logMAR) in the better-seeing eye. The definition of MCI was based on the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted. Results: Data on 32,715 individuals aged ≥ 50years [mean (SD) age 62.1 (15.6) years; 51.2% females] were analyzed. Compared to those without far or near vision impairment, those with near vision impairment but not far vision impairment (OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.16–1.52), and those with both far and near vision impairment (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.27–2.29) had significantly higher odds for MCI. Only having far vision impairment was not significantly associated with MCI. Conclusions: Visual impairment is associated with increased odds for MCI among older adults in LMICs with the exception of far vision impairment only. Future longitudinal and intervention studies should examine causality and whether improvements in visual acuity, or early intervention, can reduce risk for MCI and ultimately, dementia. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG part of Springer Nature.

BackgroundOne can assume a relatively high prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in people with multimorbidity. However, literature in this area is scarce. There is a need for further robust research to aid GPs to identify patients at a particular risk for UI, and to initiate the early treatment and multidisciplinary management of this condition.AimTo examine the association between multimorbidity and UI in 23 089 individuals aged ≥15 years and residing in Spain.Design and settingThis study used data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017, a cross-sectional sample of 23 089 participants aged ≥15 years residing in Spain (54.1% female; mean [standard deviation] age = 53.4 [18.9] years).MethodUI and 30 other physical and mental chronic conditions were self-reported. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of ≥2 physical and/or mental chronic conditions (excluding UI). Control variables included sex, age, marital status, education, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between multimorbidity and UI.ResultsThe prevalence of UI was 5.9% in this sample. UI was more frequent in the presence than in the absence of each one of the 30 chronic conditions (PPPConclusionIn this large sample of Spanish individuals aged ≥15 years, suffering from multimorbidity was associated with a significantly higher level of UI.

Objectives Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major health issues worldwide. Clinicians should play a central role to fight AMR, and medical training is a pivotal issue to combat it; therefore, assessing levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices among young doctors is essential for future antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes. Methods A nationwide, cross-sectional, multicentre survey was conducted in Italy. A descriptive analysis of knowledge and attitudes was performed, along with a univariate and multivariate analysis of their determinants. Results Overall, 1179 young doctors accessed the survey and 1055 (89.5%) completed all sections. Regarding the knowledge section of the questionnaire, almost all participants declared to know the different species of bacteria proposed, however the percentage of participants who correctly responded to clinical quizzes was 23% for the question on vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), 42% on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), 32% on extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing enterobacteria (ESBL) and 27% on methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Similarly, 81% of participants disagreed in stating that AMR was adequately addressed during their medical training and 71% disagreed that they received the right example from their tutors. Finally, a high rate of agreement with the proposed actions to combat AMR was documented; in particular, the percentage agreement was 76% for respondents who agreed to be part of an active surveillance system or AMS programme. Conclusions Tackling AMR should be a priority for politicians and for all health workers. Inclusion of competencies in antibiotic use in all specialty curricula is urgently needed.

Jingyuan Lin,1,* Tianyou Guo,2,* Benjamin Becker,3 Qian Yu,2 Si-Tong Chen,4 Stubbs Brendon,5 Md Mahbub Hossain,6 Paolo M Cunha,7 Fernanda Cunha Soares,8 Nicola Veronese,9 Jane Jie Yu,10 Igor Grabovac,11 Lee Smith,12 Albert Yeung,13 Liye Zou,2 Hong Li1 1Research Centre of Brain Function and Psychological Science; Center for Language and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People’s Republic of China; 2Exercise and Mental Health Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, People’s Republic of China; 3The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China; 4Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, 8001, Australia; 5Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK; 6Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; 7Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná 86010-580, Brazil; 8Superior School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil; 9Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Palermo 90100, Italy; 10Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong; 11Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; 12The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK; 13Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hong LiResearch Centre of Brain Function and Psychological Science; Center for Language and Brain, Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail lihongwrm@vip.sina.comPurpose: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and associated restrictive measures have implications for depressive symptoms (henceforth depression) of young people and risk may be associated with their reduced physical activity (PA) level. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between depressive symptoms and PA among college students with different gender and gender role (masculinity traits and femininity traits) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Participants and Methods: Cross-sectional study included 628 healthy college students from nineteen different locations. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scales (CES-D), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and the 50-item Chinese Sex-Role Inventory (CSRI-50) were used to measure depressive symptoms, PA continuous (weekly metabolic equivalent minutes, MET-minutes/week) and categorical indicators (activity level category) and gender role, respectively. The statistical analyses were used in partial correlation analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, moderation model tests, and linear regression model tests.Results: Total of 34.72% participants had clinically relevant depression (16, CES-D scale). Total of 58.6% participants were classified as a “low” activity level for spending less time on PA. Depression significantly negatively correlated with MET-minutes/week in moderate-intensity PA but not vigorous and walking scores. Of note, the depression-PA association was only moderated by the “low” activity level group in terms of categorical scores across gender groups. Participants with higher masculinity traits were less likely to have depression among all participants. Moreover, more recovered cases and fewer deaths could also predict the lower depression risk in the “high” activity level group.Conclusion: Moderate-intensity PA is beneficial for reducing depression risk among college students at a low activity level. College students with fewer masculinity traits (regardless of gender) are highly vulnerable to depression during the outbreak of COVID-19. Effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic seems critical to alleviating the burden of mental disorders of the public including depression.Keywords: depression, physical activity, gender, masculinity, femininity, COVID-19

Author(s): Kinoshita, Shotaro; Cortright, Kelley; Crawford, Allison; Mizuno, Yuya; Yoshida, Kazunari; Hilty, Donald; Guinart, Daniel; Torous, John; Correll, Christoph U; Castle, David J; Rocha, Deyvis; Yang, Yuan; Xiang, Yu-Tao; Kolbaek, Pernille; Dines, David; ElShami, Mohammad; Jain, Prakhar; Kallivayalil, Roy; Solmi, Marco; Favaro, Angela; Veronese, Nicola; Seedat, Soraya; Shin, Sangho; Salazar de Pablo, Gonzalo; Chang, Chun-Hung; Su, Kuan-Pin; Karas, Hakan; Kane, John M; Yellowlees, Peter; Kishimoto, Taishiro | Abstract: BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine as a way to reduce COVID-19 infections was noted and consequently deregulated. However, the degree of telemedicine regulation varies from country to country, which may alter the widespread use of telemedicine. This study aimed to clarify the telepsychiatry regulations for each collaborating country/region before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe used snowball sampling within a global network of international telepsychiatry experts. Thirty collaborators from 17 different countries/regions responded to a questionnaire on barriers to the use and implementation of telepsychiatric care, including policy factors such as regulations and reimbursement at the end of 2019 and as of May 2020.ResultsThirteen of 17 regions reported a relaxation of regulations due to the pandemic; consequently, all regions surveyed stated that telepsychiatry was now possible within their public healthcare systems. In some regions, restrictions on prescription medications allowed via telepsychiatry were eased, but in 11 of the 17 regions, there were still restrictions on prescribing medications via telepsychiatry. Lower insurance reimbursement amounts for telepsychiatry consultations v. in-person consultations were reevaluated in four regions, and consequently, in 15 regions telepsychiatry services were reimbursed at the same rate (or higher) than in-person consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsOur results confirm that, due to COVID-19, the majority of countries surveyed are altering telemedicine regulations that had previously restricted the spread of telemedicine. These findings provide information that could guide future policy and regulatory decisions, which facilitate greater scale and spread of telepsychiatry globally.

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a global outbreak. COVID-19 patients seem to have relevant coagulative abnormalities, even if they are not typical of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) of the kind seen in septicaemia. Therefore, anticoagulant therapy with heparins is increasing in interest for a clinical approach to these patients, particularly if older. Studies comparing if prophylactic doses are more effective than therapeutic ones are still missing. Methods: Data were collected in the Geriatric Section of the Dolo Hospital, ULSS 3 “Serenissima”, Venice from 31st March to 01st May 2020. Heparins (calciparin, fondaparinux, enoxaparine) were divided into prophylactic or therapeutic doses. People previously treated with oral anticoagulants were removed. Vital status was assessed using administrative data. Cox’s regression analysis, adjusted for potential confounders, was used for assessing the strength of the association between heparins and mortality. The data were reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: 81 older people (mean age 84.1years; females = 61.9%) were included. No significant differences in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics emerged between people treated with prophylactic or therapeutic doses, including age, gender, X-rays findings or severity of disease. Therapeutic doses were not associated to a better survival rate (HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.47–2.60; p = 0.89), even after adjusting for 15 confounders related to mortality (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.30–2.71; p = 0.84). Conclusions: Our paper indicates that in older people affected by COVID-19 there is no justification for using therapeutic doses instead of prophylactic ones, having a similar impact on mortality risk. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages, but its association with cancer risk remains controversial and unclear. We performed an umbrella review to clarify and determine the associations between tea consumption and various types of cancer by summarizing and recalculating the existing meta-analyses. Meta-analyses of observational studies reporting associations between tea consumption and cancer risk were searched on PubMed and Embase. Associations found to be statistically significant were further classified into levels of evidence (convincing, suggestive, or weak), based on P value, between-study heterogeneity, prediction intervals, and small study effects. Sixty-four observational studies (case-control or cohort) corresponding to 154 effect sizes on the incidence of 25 types of cancer were included. Forty-three (27.9%) results in 15 different types of cancer were statistically significant. When combining all studies on the same type of cancer, 19 results in 11 different types of cancer showed significant associations with lower risk of gastrointestinal tract organ cancer (oral, gastric, colorectal, biliary tract, and liver cancer), breast cancer, and gynecological cancer (endometrial and ovarian cancer) as well as leukemia, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer. Only the reduced risk of oral cancer in tea-consuming populations (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.72; P value < 10-6) was supported by convincing evidence. Suggestive evidence was found for 6 results on biliary tract, breast, endometrial, liver, and oral cancer. To summarize, tea consumption was shown to have protective effects on some types of cancer, particularly oral cancer. More well-designed prospective studies are needed with consideration of other factors that can cause biases.

Background Sexual activity can be referred to as a health behavior and may also act as an indicator of health status. Aim To evaluate temporal trends in sexual activity and to examine associations of sexual activity with all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk. Methods We examined the trends and prevalence of sexual activity and association of sexual activity with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a nationally representative sample using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2016 and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2014 Linked Mortality File (through December 31, 2015). Outcomes All-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality. Results A total of 15,269 US adults (mean age, 39.1 years [standard error, 0.18 years]) were included in the trend analysis. In the 2015-2016 cycle, while 71.7% (95% CI, 67.7–75.7%) US adults aged 20-59 years engaged in sexual activity ≥ 12 times/year (monthly), only 36.1% (95% CI, 31.6–40.7%) of them engaged in sexual activity ≥ 52 times/year (weekly). Since the 2005–2006 cycle, the estimated prevalence of sexual activity, ≥52 times/year and ≥12 times/year, were both stable over time among overall and each age group (all P for trend >0.1). During a median follow-up of 5.7 years (range, 1–11 years) and 71,960 person-years of observation, among 12,598 participants with eligible information on mortality status, 228 deaths occurred, including 29 associated with cardiovascular disease and 62 associated with cancer. Overall, participants with higher sexual activity frequency were at a lower risk of all-cause death in a dose-response manner (P for trend = 0.020) during the follow-up period. In addition, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, cancer mortality, and other cause mortality among participants who had sex ≥52 times/year compared with those having sex 0–1 time/year were 0.51 (95% CI, 0.34 to 0.76), 0.79 (95% CI, 0.19 to 3.21), 0.31 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.84), and 0.52 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.96), respectively. Clinical Implications Sexual activity appears to be a health indicator of all-cause and cancer mortality in US middle-aged adults. Strengths & Limitations Clear strengths of the present study include the large representative sample of the noninstitutionalized US population as well as the identification of precise estimates in relation to sexual activity and mortality. However, because of the observational nature of the study design, causality could not be determined. Conclusions Sexual activity was found to be associated with a lower risk of mortality from all cause and cancer.

Background In 2016, an expert working group was convened under the auspices of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) and formulated consensus recommendations for the conduct of clinical trials for drugs to prevent or treat sarcopenia. Aims The objective of the current paper is to provide a 2020 update of the previous recommendations in accordance with the evidence that has become available since our original recommendations. Methods This paper is based on literature reviews performed by members of the ESCEO working group and followed up with face to face meetings organized for the whole group to make amendments and discuss further recommendations. Results The randomized placebo-controlled double-blind parallel-arm drug clinical trials should be the design of choice for both phase II and III trials. Treatment and follow-up should run at least 6 months for phase II and 12 months for phase III trials. Overall physical activity, nutrition, co-prescriptions and comorbidity should be recorded. Participants in these trials should be at least 70-years-old and present with a combination of low muscle strength and low physical performance. Severely malnourished individuals, as well as bedridden patients, patients with extremely limited mobility or individuals with physical limitations clearly attributable to the direct effect of a specific disease, should be excluded. Multiple outcomes are proposed for phase II trials, including, as example, physical performance, muscle strength and mass, muscle metabolism and muscle-bone interaction. For phase III trials, we recommend a co-primary endpoint of a measure of functional performance and a Patient Reported Outcome Measure. Conclusion The working group has formulated consensus recommendations on specific aspects of trial design, and in doing so hopes to contribute to an improvement of the methodological robustness and comparability of clinical trials. Standardization of designs and outcomes would advance the field by allowing better comparison across studies, including performing individual patient-data meta-analyses, and different pro-myogenic therapies.

Background: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is common, but the efficacy/safety of treatment interventions aimed to improve health outcomes in this population are not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to map and grade the effect of interventions for health outcomes in hand OA. Methods: Umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using placebo/no intervention as control group. For outcomes with ap-value

This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of intermittent energy restriction (IER) on anthropometric outcomes and intermediate disease markers. A systematic literature search was conducted in three electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if the intervention lasted ≥12 weeks and IER was compared with either continuous energy restriction (CER) or a usual diet. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed for eight outcomes. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Seventeen RCTs with 1328 participants were included. IER in comparison to a usual diet may reduce body weight (mean difference [MD]: −4.83 kg, 95%-CI: −5.46, −4.21; n = 6 RCTs), waist circumference (MD: −1.73 cm, 95%-CI: −3.69, 0.24; n = 2), fat mass (MD: −2.54 kg, 95%-CI: −3.78, −1.31; n = 6), triacylglycerols (MD: −0.20 mmol/L, 95%-CI: −0.38, −0.03; n = 5) and systolic blood pressure (MD: −6.11 mmHg, 95%-CI: −9.59, −2.64; n = 5). No effects were observed for LDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, and glycosylated-hemoglobin. Both, IER and CER have similar effect on body weight (MD: −0.55 kg, 95%-CI: −1.01, −0.09; n = 13), and fat mass (MD: −0.66 kg, 95%-CI: −1.14, −0.19; n = 10), and all other outcomes. In conclusion, IER improves anthropometric outcomes and intermediate disease markers when compared to a usual diet. The effects of IER on weight loss are similar to weight loss achieved by CER.

Background & aims: The literature regarding enteral nutrition and mortality in older frail people is limited and still conflicting. Moreover, the potential role of comprehensive geriatric assessment is poorly explored. We therefore aimed to investigate whether the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), an established tool that assesses measures of frailty and predicts mortality, may help physicians in identifying patients in whom ETF (enteral tube feeding) is effective in terms of reduced mortality. Methods: Observational, longitudinal, multicenter study with one year of follow-up. Data regarding ETF were recorded through medical records. A standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment was used to calculate the MPI. Participants were divided in low (MPI-1), moderate (MPI-2) or severe (MPI-3) risk of mortality. Data regarding mortality were recorded through administrative information. Results: 1064 patients were included, with 79 (13 in MPI 1–2 and 66 in MPI-3 class) receiving ETF. In multivariable analysis, patients receiving ETF experienced a higher risk of death (odds ratio, OR = 2.00; 95% confidence intervals, CI: 1.19–3.38). However, after stratifying for their MPI at admission, mortality was higher in MPI-3 class patients (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.09–3.76), but not in MPI 1–2 class patients (OR = 1.51; 95%CI: 0.44–5.25). The use of propensity score confirmed these findings. Conclusions: ETF is associated with a higher risk of death. However, this is limited to more frail patients, suggesting the importance of the MPI in the prognostic evaluation of ETF. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use and cancer incidence (overall, and breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers specifically) in a large representative sample of US adults. Cross-sectional data on cancer diagnosis, timing of cancer diagnosis, ACE inhibitor use, and other characteristics were extracted from 49 512 adults aged ≥ 20years participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2016). Multivariable-logistic and propensity score matching (PSM) regressions examined the relationship between pre-diagnosis use of ACE inhibitors and diagnosis of all cancers, and breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers specifically. Overall, we observed an increased likelihood of cancer diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) 1.269, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.088–1.480] among those who used ACE inhibitors compared to non-ACE inhibitor use, and for prostate cancer diagnosis (OR 1.438, 95% CI 1.090–1.897), after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, physical activity, alcohol drinking status, smoking status, and high blood pressure. PSM regression retrieved more conservative estimates such that the increased likelihood of cancer diagnosis was only observed when comparing ACE inhibitor users with non-drug users (OR 1.022, 95% CI 1.016–1.027). Compared with non-ACE inhibitor use, ACE inhibitor use was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. In conclusion, in this large representative sample of US adults, it was found that ACE inhibitor use may have a marginal influence on some cancers. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint condition and, with a burgeoning ageing population, is due to increase in prevalence. Beyond conventional medical and surgical interventions, there are an increasing number of ‘alternative’ therapies. These alternative therapies may have a limited evidence base and, for this reason, are often only afforded brief reference (or completely excluded) from current OA guidelines. Thus, the aim of this review was to synthesize the current evidence regarding autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), vitamin D and other alternative therapies. The majority of studies were in knee OA or chondral defects. Matrix-assisted ACI has demonstrated exceedingly limited, symptomatic improvements in the treatment of cartilage defects of the knee and is not supported for the treatment of knee OA. There is some evidence to suggest symptomatic improvement with MSC injection in knee OA, with the suggestion of minimal structural improvement demonstrated on MRI and there are positive signals that PRP may also lead to symptomatic improvement, though variation in preparation makes inter-study comparison difficult. There is variability in findings with vitamin D supplementation in OA, and the only recommendation which can be made, at this time, is for replacement when vitamin D is deplete. Other alternative therapies reviewed have some evidence (though from small, poor-quality studies) to support improvement in symptoms and again there is often a wide variation in dosage and regimens. For all these therapeutic modalities, although controlled studies have been undertaken to evaluate effectiveness in OA, these have often been of small size, limited statistical power, uncertain blindness and using various methodologies. These deficiencies must leave the question as to whether they have been validated as effective therapies in OA (or chondral defects). The conclusions of this review are that all alternative interventions definitely require clinical trials with robust methodology, to assess their efficacy and safety in the treatment of OA beyond contextual and placebo effects. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40520-020-01515-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background-\ud \ud To date, no attempt has been made to collate literature on the relationship between the social environmental impact of COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this explorative review was to assess and compare the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in male healthcare workers and males during the COVID-19 pandemic.\ud \ud Methods-\ud \ud A systematic review of major databases from inception to February 2021 was conducted. Prevalence data were extracted, and a random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken.\ud \ud Outcomes-\ud \ud The pooled prevalence of ED amongst healthcare workers working in COVID-19 specific environments, and non-healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.\ud \ud Results-\ud \ud Of 52 initial studies, six were included for the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of ED in healthcare workers working in a COVID-19 environment was 63.6% (95% CI 20.3–92.3%), and in non-healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was 31.9% (95% CI 19.5–47.6%).\ud \ud Conclusion-\ud \ud The prevalence of ED in healthcare workers working in COVID-19 environments was higher than representative samples and is of concern. Sexual health (and by extension, overall health), should be a priority when considering ways to care for this population. Considering the social environmental impact of COVID-19 on sexual health and in particular on ED, it is important to provide adequate psychological support systems and to promote quality of life with particular attention to sexual health.

BACKGROUND: . High-quality comprehensive data on short-/long-term physical/mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed. METHODS: . The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT) is an international, multi-language (n=30) project involving >230 investigators from 49 countries/territories/regions, endorsed by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT is a multi-wave, on-line anonymous, cross-sectional survey [wave 1: 04/2020 until the end of the pandemic, 12 months waves 2/3 starting 6/24 months threreafter] for adults, adolescents (14-17), and children (6-13), utilizing non-probability/snowball and representative sampling. COH-FIT aims to identify non-modifiable/modifiable risk factors/treatment targets to inform prevention/intervention programs to improve social/health outcomes in the general population/vulnerable subgrous during/after COVID-19. In adults, co-primary outcomes are change from pre-COVID-19 to intra-COVID-19 in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-Score. Key secondary outcomes are a P-extended score, global mental and physical health. Secondary outcomes include health-service utilization/functioning, treatment adherence, functioning, symptoms/behaviors/emotions, substance use, violence, among others. RESULTS: . Starting 04/26/2020, up to 14/07/2021 >151,000 people from 155 countries/territories/regions and six continents have participated. Representative samples of ≥1,000 adults have been collected in 15 countries. Overall, 43.0% had prior physical disorders, 16.3% had prior mental disorders, 26.5% were health care workers, 8.2% were aged ≥65 years, 19.3% were exposed to someone infected with COVID-19, 76.1% had been in quarantine, and 2.1% had been COVID 19-positive. LIMITATIONS: . Cross-sectional survey, preponderance of non-representative participants. CONCLUSIONS: . Results from COH-FIT will comprehensively quantify the impact of COVID-19, seeking to identify high-risk groups in need for acute and long-term intervention, and inform evidence-based health policies/strategies during this/future pandemics. ispartof: JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS vol:299 pages:393-407 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered daily routines and family functioning, led to closing schools, and dramatically limited social interactions worldwide. Measuring its impact on mental health of vulnerable children and adolescents is crucial. METHODS: The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT - www.coh-fit.com) is an on-line anonymous survey, available in 30 languages, involving >230 investigators from 49 countries supported by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT has thee waves (until the pandemic is declared over by the WHO, and 6-18 months plus 24-36 months after its end). In addition to adults, COH-FIT also includes adolescents (age 14-17 years), and children (age 6-13 years), recruited via non-probability/snowball and representative sampling and assessed via self-rating and parental rating. Non-modifiable/modifiable risk factors/treatment targets to inform prevention/intervention programs to promote health and prevent mental and physical illness in children and adolescents will be generated by COH-FIT. Co-primary outcomes are changes in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-Score. Multiple behavioral, family, coping strategy and service utilization factors are also assessed, including functioning and quality of life. RESULTS: Up to June 2021, over 13,000 children and adolescents from 59 countries have participated in the COH-FIT project, with representative samples from eleven countries. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional and anonymous design. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence generated by COH-FIT will provide an international estimate of the COVID-19 effect on children's, adolescents' and families', mental and physical health, well-being, functioning and quality of life, informing the formulation of present and future evidence-based interventions and policies to minimize adverse effects of the present and future pandemics on youth. ispartof: JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS vol:299 pages:367-376 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published

Objectives Loss of weight is associated with cognitive decline as well as several adverse outcomes in dementia. The aim of this study was to assess whether weight loss is associated with mortality and hospitalization in dementia subtypes. Methods A cohort of 11,607 patients with dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) was assembled from a large dementia care health records database in Southeast London. A natural language processing algorithm was developed to established whether loss of weight was recorded around the time of dementia diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to examine the associations of reported weight loss with mortality and emergency hospitalization. Results Weight loss around the time of dementia was recorded in 25.5% of the whole sample and was most common in patients with DLB. A weight loss-related increased risk for mortality was detected after adjustment for confounders (Hazard ratio (HR):1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.02-1.15) and in patients with AD (HR: 1.11;95% CI:1.04-1.20), but not in DLB and VD. Weight loss was associated with a significantly increased emergency hospitalization risk (HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.08-1.20) and in all three subtypes. Conclusions While there were associations with increased hospitalization risk for all three subtype diagnoses, weight loss was only associated with increased mortality in AD. Weight loss should be considered as an accompanying symptom in dementia and interventions should be considered to ameliorate risk of adverse outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background-\ud \ud There are no multi-country studies on the association between informal caregiving and anxiety from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we investigated this relationship in a large predominantly nationally representative sample from 47 LMICs.\ud \ud Methods-\ud \ud Cross sectional data from the World Health Survey were analyzed. Anxiety symptoms referred to severe or extreme problems with worries or anxiety in the past 30 days.\ud \ud Information on caregiving in the past 12 months was obtained. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, household size, employment, disability, and country was conducted. Data on 237,952 individuals aged ≥18 years [mean (SD) age 38.4 (16.0) years; 50.8% female] were analyzed.\ud \ud Results-\ud \ud After adjustment for potential confounders, caregiving was positively associated with anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.52; 95%CI = 1.40, 1.65). Greater number of caregiving activities was associated with higher odds for anxiety symptoms dose-dependently, with the OR (95%CI) for engagement in 5 activities (vs. no caregiving) being 2.19 (1.86–2.58).\ud \ud Conclusion-\ud \ud Caregiving is associated with higher odds for anxiety symptoms among adults in LMICs. Given the increasing importance of informal caregivers in long-term care provision and the fact that good health of caregivers is vital to sustain this system, interventions to address mental health of caregivers in LMICs are urgently needed.

Animal models have indicated that influenza vaccination may prevent or delay the onset of dementia. However, the epidemiological evidence in human beings is still limited. Given this background, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current state of the art of observational studies investigating the association between influenza vaccination and the risk of dementia. We searched Scopus and Pubmed/Medline until 24 September 2021 for studies investigating the risk of dementia by influenza vaccination status. After adjustment for potentially important confounding variables, data were reported as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among 273 articles initially evaluated, five were included for a total of 292,157 older people free from dementia at baseline (mean age=75.5 ± 7.4 years; 46.8% females). All studies were of high quality. Over a mean follow-up of 9 years, influenza vaccination mitigated the risk of dementia (RR=0.97; 95%CI: 0.94–1.00; I2 =99%). This association held after adjustment for a mean of nine potential confounders (RR=0.71; 95%CI: 0.60–0.94; I2 =95.9%). In sensitivity analysis, removing one study from the adjusted analyses, the adjusted RR remained similar (RR= 0.67; 95%CI: 0.63–0.70), but the heterogeneity disappears (I2 =0%). In conclusion, influenza vaccination was associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia suggesting that the vaccination of older people against influenza may also aid in the prevention of dementia. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Frailty is a common syndrome in older people that carries an increased risk of mortality. Two main models describe frailty, either as a loss of physical functions or as an accumulation of multiple deficits. The aim of our study was to compare the physical frailty index developed in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) with a multidimensional frailty tool, the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), in predicting death in community-dwelling older subjects. Four hundred and seven community-dwelling older subjects were enrolled. Each subject underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) with calculation of the MPI and CHS index. Mortality was recorded over the following 5 years. In the overall sample (mean age of 77.9 ± 4.5 years; 51.6% female), 53 subjects (13%) died during the 5-year follow-up period. Both the MPI and CHS index were able to predict mortality; however, the MPI was significantly more accurate than the CHS index in predicting mortality (C-index = 0.69 and 0.59, respectively; p < 0.001), with a statistically significant difference of 10%. In conclusion, multidimensional frailty, assessed by the MPI, predicts five-year mortality in community-dwelling older people better than physical frailty, as assessed by the CHS index. These findings suggest the usefulness of assessing frailty by means of CGA-based tools to predict relevant health-negative outcomes in older people.

There is a large and growing body of literature focusing on the use of oral magnesium (Mg) supplementation for improving glucose metabolism in people with or at risk of diabetes. We therefore aimed to investigate the effect of oral Mg supplementation on glucose and insulin-sensitivity parameters in participants with diabetes or at high risk of diabetes, compared with a placebo. Several databases were searched investigating the effect of oral Mg supplementation vs placebo in patients with diabetes or conditions at high risk of diabetes. Data were reported as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using follow-up data of glucose and insulin-sensitivity parameters. Compared with placebo, Mg supplementation reduced fasting plasma glucose in people with diabetes. In people at high risk of diabetes, Mg supplementation significantly improved plasma glucose per se, and after a 2 h oral glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, Mg supplementation demonstrated an improvement in insulin sensitivity markers. In conclusion, Mg supplementation appears to have a beneficial role and improves glucose parameters in people with diabetes. Moreover, our work indicates that Mg supplementation may improve insulin-sensitivity parameters in those at high risk of diabetes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Background: Literature regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) and incident physical performance limitations and disability in older people is equivocal. Aims: This study aimed to investigate whether CVD is longitudinally associated with incident physical performance limitations and disability in alarge population-based sample. Methods: This was an 8‑year prospective study using data collected as part of the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Participants were community-dwelling adults with knee osteoarthritis or at high risk for this condition. Diagnosed CVD was self-reported. Physical performance was assessed with measures of chair stand time and gait speed, whereas disability was assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Longitudinal associations between CVD and changes in physical performance tests (chair stand time and gait speed) and disability score were analyzed using generalized linear models with repeated measurements. Results: The analyzed sample comprised 4796 adults (mean age 61.2 years, 58.5% female), of whom 313 people (6.5%) reported CVD at baseline. During 8years of follow-up, after adjustment for 11 potential confounders measured at baseline, those with CVD experienced aworse profile in chair stand time over the 8‑year follow-up period than those without CVD (p = 0.006). Conclusion: In acohort of middle-aged and older adults with knee osteoarthritis or at high risk for this condition those with CVD experienced aworse profile in chair stand time over the 8‑year follow-up period than those without CVD; however, CVD was not significantly associated with an increased incidence of poor gait speed and disability over 8years of follow-up. Importantly, no associations were observed when utilizing propensity score matching. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.

The role of nutrition in mental health is becoming increasingly acknowledged. Along with dietary intake, nutrition can also be obtained from "nutrient supplements", such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and pre/probiotic supplements. Recently, a large number of meta-analyses have emerged examining nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders. To produce a meta-review of this top-tier evidence, we identified, synthesized and appraised all meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in common and severe mental disorders. Our systematic search identified 33 meta-analyses of placebo-controlled RCTs, with primary analyses including outcome data from 10,951 individuals. The strongest evidence was found for PUFAs (particularly as eicosapentaenoic acid) as an adjunctive treatment for depression. More nascent evidence suggested that PUFAs may also be beneficial for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, whereas there was no evidence for schizophrenia. Folate-based supplements were widely researched as adjunctive treatments for depression and schizophrenia, with positive effects from RCTs of high-dose methylfolate in major depressive disorder. There was emergent evidence for N-acetylcysteine as a useful adjunctive treatment in mood disorders and schizophrenia. All nutrient supplements had good safety profiles, with no evidence of serious adverse effects or contraindications with psychiatric medications. In conclusion, clinicians should be informed of the nutrient supplements with established efficacy for certain conditions (such as eicosapentaenoic acid in depression), but also made aware of those currently lacking evidentiary support. Future research should aim to determine which individuals may benefit most from evidence-based supplements, to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms. ispartof: WORLD PSYCHIATRY vol:18 issue:3 pages:308-324 ispartof: location:Italy status: published

Introduction There are some controversies about treatment modalities in osteoarthritis (OA), including chondroitin sulfate (CS). The objective of this study was to determine whether CS is effective at alleviating pain and improving function in patients with knee OA and to identify the factors that explain inconsistencies in clinical trial results. Methods We conducted a systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials, searching the databases Medline, Cochrane central register for controlled trials and Scopus. Random effects meta-analysis was then performed, using tau2 and I2 statistics to assess heterogeneity. The pain and Lequesne index (LI) scores were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was explored by stratifying the analyses according to pre-specified study-level characteristics and assessing the sources of funnel plot asymmetry. Results The inclusion criteria yielded 18 trials. Overall, CS significantly but inconsistently reduced pain (SMD: − 0.63; 95% CI: − 0.91, − 0.35; I2 = 94%) and improved function (SMD: − 0.82; 95% CI: − 1.31, − 0.33; I2 = 95%). When limiting the analysis to studies with a low risk of bias, the pharmaceutical grade CS of IBSA origin showed a greater reduction in pain (SMD: − 0.25; 95% CI: − 0.34, − 0.16; I2 = 75%) and function (SMD: − 0.33; 95% CI: − 0.47, − 0.20; I2 = 53%, p = 0.07) compared with the other preparations (SMDPain: − 0.08; 95% CI: − 0.19, + 0.02; I2 = 20%; SMDFunction: − 0.18; 95% CI: − 0.36, +0.01; I2 = 0%). Assessing funnel plot asymmetry in the studies with a low risk of bias, we found strong correlations between the treatment effects and study size (pain: rS = 0.93; LI: rS = 0.86; p

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to have more severe health outcomes in older people specifically in relation to mortality and disability. Vaccination seems to be efficacious and safe for preventing the negative consequences of COVID-19, but vaccine hesitancy seems to be high in older adults. We therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence of unwillingness and the uncertainty to vaccinate against COVID-19 in older people and the factors that can be associated with the unwillingness to vaccinate. For this work, we searched several databases until 18th June 2021 for studies reporting the prevalence of unwillingness and the uncertainty to vaccinate against COVID-19 in people aged >60 years. A meta-analysis of the prevalence, with the correspondent 95% confidence intervals (CIs), was proposed. Factors that can be associated with the unwillingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 were explored through multivariable analyses and reported as odds ratios (ORs). Among 662 papers initially screened, we included 15 studies for a total of 9753 older adults. The prevalence of unwillingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 in older people was 27.03% (95%CI: 15.10–38.95%), whilst the correspondent figure of uncertainty was 19.33% (95%CI: 12.28–26.39). The risk of being unvaccinated was significantly higher in Hispanics (OR=1.197; 95%CI: 1.010–1.418) and in case of low education (OR=1.678; 95%CI: 1.170–2.408) and low income (OR=1.287; 95%CI: 1.127–1.469). In conclusion, the hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccination is a relevant problem in older people, particularly in those with a low income, a low level of education, and in Hispanics living in the United States. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.