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Aim: This study aims to identify the key risk factors that lead to subtypes of physical frailty assessed by walking speed and grip strength among community‐dwelling Japanese individuals, stratified by the presence of musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) and age group. Methods: We included 302 participants aged 70 or 80 years who did not exhibit subtypes of physical frailty at baseline through the Septuagenarians, Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, Investigation with Centenarians (SONIC) study. Our study was a longitudinal study. The outcome was the incidence of subtypes of physical frailty after 3 years. Subtypes of physical frailty were defined as a weak grip strength or slow walking speed, or both, based on the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study Index. The risk factors for subtypes of physical frailty incidence were examined by age group and MSD, using multivariate logistic regressions. Results: Of the 302 participants, 110 (36.4%) had MSD. Those with MSD were significantly more likely to have subtypes of physical frailty after 3 years compared with those without MSD. Among all participants, older age was a risk factor of subtypes of physical frailty (P < 0.05). Without MSD, older age and dissatisfied financial status were risk factors (P < 0.05). With MSD, older age was a risk factor (P < 0.05). By age group, in individuals aged 70 years old, a dissatisfied financial status was a risk factor for those without MSD (P < 0.05), and a higher BMI was one for those with MSD (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Older age was a risk factor for subtypes of physical frailty, but other risk factors differed according to the presence of MSD and age. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 797–805. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aging‐related increase in the incidence of anemia potentially affects the mortality risk. Lower cognitive function is common among older adults, and anemia is one of the causes of cognitive decline. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated whether cognitive decline is a risk factor for anemia in older people. Therefore, in this study, we used a 3‐year longitudinal evaluation to examine the association of cognitive function with anemia in community‐dwelling older adults. Methods: This longitudinal study enrolled participants without anemia (diagnosed based on the World Health Organization's criteria) at baseline. Cognitive function was assessed using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association between cognitive function at baseline and the presence of anemia 3 years later. Results: Participants were in the 69–71 and 79–81 years age groups, and 974 older people (48.6% men) were enrolled, of whom 126 (12.9%) had anemia after 3 years. After adjusting, cognitive function at baseline was associated with anemia in women, but not in men. Conclusions: Older Japanese women with lower cognitive function have an increased risk for anemia 3 years later. The adoption of a lifestyle that utilizes or improves cognitive function might be important to prevent anemia in older women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 334–340. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to clarify the association between dietary protein intake and decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) among Japanese older adults. Methods: We used the data of the Septuagenarians, Octogenarians and Nonagenarians Investigation with Centenarians (SONIC) study, an ongoing narrow‐age range cohort study: 69–71 years, 79–81 years and 89–91 years. The outcome variable, change in eGFR, was estimated from serum creatinine measured at the baseline and 3‐year follow up, and the exposure variable, protein intake, was calculated using the brief‐type self‐administered diet history questionnaire at the baseline. Associations between eGFR change and protein intake were determined by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean eGFR change per year was −1.89 mL/min/1.73 m2. The mean protein intake was 1.50 g/kg/day. The results of this study showed that there was no significant association between protein or animal protein intake and change in eGFR per year in the entire population of participants, including the very elderly, but there was a significant positive association in those whose renal function fell into chronic kidney disease stage G3 or G4. Conclusions: Protein intake among community‐dwelling older adults was not associated with lower eGFR, and for older chronic kidney disease patients, protein and animal protein intakes were more beneficial in maintaining eGFR. The results provide evidence that protein intake should not be restricted for older patients with chronic kidney disease, including the very elderly. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 286–291. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between moderate alcohol drinking or other alcohol drinking patterns such as frequency, beverage type, and situation of drinking and cognitive function is not sufficiently clear in older people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between alcohol drinking patterns and cognitive function in community-dwelling Japanese people aged 75 and over.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design based on a prospective cohort study called the SONIC study. Subjects were older people aged 75-77 or 85-87 who voluntarily participated in 2016-2017. Drinking information was collected for daily drinking frequency, daily drinking intake, beverage type, and non-daily drinking opportunity. Cognitive function was measured using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). Other potential confounding factors evaluated were age, sex, medical factors, and psychosocial factors. An analysis of covariance was performed to evaluate the MoCA-J score relative to drinking frequency or alcohol intake. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between beverage type or non-daily drinking opportunity and the MoCA-J score.Results: The final number of participants analyzed was 1,226. The MoCA-J score for participants who reported drinking alcohol 1-6 days/week was significantly higher than that for those who reported drinking none or every day. No significant difference in the MoCA-J score was observed relative to daily alcohol intake. In terms of beverage type, wine was associated positively with the MoCA-J score. Non-daily drinking opportunity was also associated positively with the MoCA-J score.Conclusions: Moderate-frequency drinking, wine consumption, and non-daily drinking opportunities were associated with higher cognitive function in community-dwelling Japanese aged 75 and over. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The association between serum uric acid (UA) and atherosclerosis in old people is controversial. Therefore, in this study, we clarified this association by assessing serum UA and common carotid atherosclerosis examined by carotid ultrasound in community‐dwelling older people in their 70s, 80s and 90s in the SONIC study. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted involving 538 men and 577 women recruited from the community. The analysis was performed using serum UA as the explanatory variable and the maximum carotid intima‐media thickness (max‐CIMT) and mean‐IMT as the dependent variables. The analysis was performed by multiple regression using traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis as adjustment variables. Results: Analysis of the association between serum UA and IMT revealed a significant correlation only in women >70 years old. Max‐CIMT (β = 0.081, 95% CI = 0.026, 0.136; P = 0.004) and mean‐IMT (β = 0.015, 95% CI = 0.003, 0.029; P = 0.016) were significant. In the analysis of each age group, a significant correlation was only found in women in their 70s for mean‐IMT (β = 0.031, 95% CI = 0.008, 0.053; P = 0.008). Conclusion: In community‐dwelling women aged about 70 years old, elevated serum UA may be an independent risk factor for IMT thickening as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 94–101. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Heart diseases and social factors are associated with physical frailty, but there are few studies of older people living in the community. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the association between heart diseases, social factors and physical frailty in community‐dwelling older populations including the oldest‐old people. Methods: The cross‐sectional study included 1882 participants of community‐dwelling older and oldest‐old people. The survey site assessed questionnaires on medical history, social factors, blood samples and physical examination. Physical frailty was based on slow gait speed or weak grip strength. Associations were analyzed using multiple logistic regression with adjustments for covariate factors. Results: Subjects with heart disease had a higher prevalence of physical frailty than those without heart disease. After adjusting the covariate factors, heart diseases were associated with a slow gait speed (odds ratio [OR] = 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–2.32, P = 0.009). Frequency of going outdoors and direct interaction with relatives or friends were associated with a slow gait speed (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.91, P ≤ 0.001 and OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94, P < 0.001), and associated with physical frailty (OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.72–0.89, P ≤ 0.001 and OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.95, P = 0.002). Living alone and frequency of direct interaction with relatives or friends were associated with physical frailty in subjects with heart disease. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that in community‐dwelling older people, heart diseases and social factors were associated with physical frailty. Older people with heart disease, those living alone and the frequency of direct interaction with relatives or friends were associated with physical frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 974–979. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between cognitive function and the serum albumin/globulin ratio (A/G ratio) in community‐dwelling Japanese older adults. Methods: Randomly extracted residents in both urban and rural parts of Japan were enrolled in this study. A total of 1827 participants with a mean age of 70 or 80 years were recruited. A venue survey method was carried out with comprehensive studies, including interviews, blood collection, physical examination and cognitive function tests. Results: Univariate analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the total Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score and the serum A/G ratio at the age of 70 and 80 years, in which better cognitive function was associated with a high serum A/G ratio. Multiple regression analysis with the total Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score as the dependent variable showed that the serum albumin level, serum globulin level, serum A/G ratio, C‐reactive protein, years of formal education and sex were related to the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score at the age of 70 years, and that the serum albumin level, serum globulin level, serum A/G ratio, C‐reactive protein, years of formal education and stroke were related at the age of 80 years. The serum A/G ratio showed a better correlation than the serum globulin levels at the age of 70 and 80 years (70 years: β = 0.131 vs –0.111, 80 years: β = 0.108 vs –0.071). Conclusions: We found a correlation between cognitive function and the serum A/G ratio in community‐dwelling older people, suggesting that nutritional status and chronic inflammation might influence cognitive function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 967–971. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]