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Background The main objective of this study was to evaluate gait parameters in people with intellectual disability (ID) and without intellectual disability (WID) in two different walking conditions [single task vs. dual task (DT)]. A secondary aim was to evaluate the dual-task cost (DTC) that the DT causes in each group. Methods A total of 119 participants joined in this study: 56 ID (30 men) and 63 WID (30 men). The OptoGait system was used to assess gait. In addition, Witty photocells were added to assess gait under the DT condition. Results Single support time was lower for participants with ID (P < 0.01), while double support time was higher (P < 0.05). All coefficients of variation for gait parameters were higher in participants with ID. Additionally, changes in gait were observed in both groups during the DT condition compared with the single-task condition. These changes were larger for participants with ID in step length, double support time and gait speed (P < 0.001), resulting in a higher DTC in these variables in the ID group (P < 0.01). Conclusions Both groups reduced gait performance in the DT condition. However, greater gait variability occurred in the ID group. In addition, DTC was higher for the ID group in all variables analysed. Therefore, people with ID show worse gait performance during a DT than people WID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the strength of associations between different indices of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and brain health outcomes in children with overweight/obesity. Methods: Participants were 100 children aged 8–11 years. CRF was assessed using treadmill exercise test (peak oxygen uptake [V̇O2peak], treadmill time, and V̇O2 at ventilatory threshold) and 20‐metre shuttle run test (20mSRT, laps, running speed, estimated V̇O2peak using the equations by Léger et al., Mahar et al., and Matsuzaka et al.). Intelligence, executive functions, and academic performance were assessed using validated methods. Total gray matter and hippocampal volumes were assessed using structural MRI. Results: V̇O2peak/body mass (β = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.01–0.35) and treadmill time (β = 0.18–0.21, 95% CI = 0.01–0.39) were positively associated with gray matter volume. 20mSRT laps were positively associated with executive functions (β = 0.255, 95% CI = 0.089–0.421) and academic performance (β = 0.199–0.255, 95% CI = 0.006–0.421), and the running speed was positively associated with executive functions (β = 0.203, 95% CI = 0.039–0.367). Estimated V̇O2peak/Léger et al. was positively associated with intelligence, executive functions, academic performance, and gray matter volume (β = 0.205–0.282, 95% CI = 0.013–0.500). Estimated V̇O2peak/Mahar et al. and V̇O2peak/Matsuzaka et al. (speed) were positively associated with executive functions (β = 0.204–0.256, 95% CI = 0.031–0.436). Conclusion: Although V̇O2peak is considered the gold standard indicator of CRF in children, peak performance (laps or running speed) and estimated V̇O2peak/Léger et al. derived from 20mSRT had stronger and more consistent associations with brain health outcomes than other indices of CRF in children with overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aibar-Almazán, A, Martínez-Amat, A, Cruz-Díaz, D, Jesús de la Torre-Cruz, M, Jiménez-García, JD, Zagalaz-Anula, N, Redecillas-Peiró, MT, Mendoza-Ladrón de Guevara, N, and Hita-Contreras, F. The influence of Pilates exercises on body composition, muscle strength, and gait speed in community-dwelling older women: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2298–2305, 2022—Population aging is a global phenomenon that has wide-ranging consequences for the health of individuals, including age-related obesity, muscle loss, and a decline in muscle strength and gait speed. These alterations are associated with disability, functional decline, and mortality in older adults. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Pilates exercises on body composition, handgrip strength, and physical performance among community-dwelling Spanish women aged 60 and older. A randomized controlled trial of a 12-week Pilates training program was conducted. A total of 109 women were randomly allocated to either a control (n = 54) or a Pilates (n = 55) group. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance. Body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, and height-adjusted skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were assessed before and immediately after the intervention, as were physical performance, estimated by gait speed (timed up-and-go test), and handgrip strength. Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) were observed both within and between groups for handgrip strength (Cohen's d = 0.40 and 0.52 respectively) and gait speed (Cohen's d = 0.86 and 0.87 respectively). After 12 weeks, BMI significantly decreased (Cohen's d = 0.07) only in the Pilates group. No significant differences were observed regarding SMI. In conclusion, a 12-week Pilates exercise intervention on community dwelling women over 60 years old shows beneficial effects on muscle strength, physical performance, and BMI, but failed to induce any changes on body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Hospitalization is associated with acute changes in sarcopenia status in older people, but the influencing factors are not fully understood. Pre-admission care dependency level as a risk factor has not yet been investigated. Objective Evaluate if pre-admission care dependency level is an independent predictor of sarcopenia changes following hospitalization. Setting and subjects Data came from the Sarcopenia 9+ EAMA Project, a European prospective multi-centre study. For this study, 227 hospitalised older people were included from four different hospitals in Belgium, Spain and Poland, between 18 February 2019 and 5 September 2020. Methods Sarcopenia status at admission and discharge were calculated using a combined score (desirability value) based on muscle mass (calf circumference), strength (grip) and function (walking speed). Ratio of admission to discharge status was the outcome (desirability ratio; 1.00 meaning no difference). Predictor variable was the pre-admission care dependency level, classified into three groups: independent older people living at home, dependent older people living at home and older people living in a care home. Linear regression models were applied, considering potential confounders. Results Mean desirability ratio for dependent older people living at home ('middle dependent group') was lower (0.89) compared to independent older people (0.98; regression coefficient −0.09 [95% CI −0.16, −0.02]) and care home patients (1.05; −0.16 [95% CI −0.01, −0.31]). Adjusting for potential confounders or using another statistical approach did not affect the main results. Conclusion Dependent older people living at home were at higher risk of deterioration in sarcopenia status following hospitalization. In-depth studies investigating causes and potential interventions of these findings are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: Exercise can be a useful rehabilitation approach for people with lower-limb amputation. However, there is a lack of research in this regard. The aim of this study was to analyse functional mobility, walking speed, range of motion and quality of life changes experienced by people with lower-limb amputation after taking part in a comprehensive exercise programme that included core strengthening exercises. Methods: This was a pilot study including six individuals who carried out a comprehensive exercise programme, which was performed once a week for 5 months. During the first 2 weeks, the participants attended 1-hour sessions that focused on the execution of diaphragmatic breathing and body scheme exercises. From the fourth week until the end of the intervention, the sessions were much longer, and included a warm-up phase, two circuit training workouts for core strength and balance, and a final stretching routine. Results: Significant improvements were found in the participants' functional mobility (P=0.007) and walking speed (P=0.001). The exercise intervention did not have a significant impact on the participants' range of motion and quality of life. Conclusions: In a group of people with lower-limb amputation, the performance of a comprehensive exercise programme that included core strengthening, was found to be beneficial for functional mobility and walking speed, although no significant effect was observed for range of motion and quality of life measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the internal consistency, hypothesis testing and criterion‐related validity of the Spanish versions of the Kihon Checklist (KCL) – the original 25‐item and reduced 15‐item versions – for screening frailty in community‐dwelling older adults. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was carried out between March and September 2018 in Valencia province (Spain). A sample of 251 participants was recruited. Construct validity was assessed using four different frailty instruments, and alternative measures corresponding to the KCL domains (handgrip strength, gait speed, the Short Physical Performance Battery, skeletal muscle mass index, physical activity level, functional status, cognitive function, depressive mood, health‐related quality of life and nutritional status). Fried's Frailty Phenotype was used to evaluate criterion validity. Results: Internal consistency assessed with Kuder–Richardson Formula had a value of 0.69 for the 25‐item version, slightly lower than the usual 0.7 for considering good reliability, and 0.71 for the 15‐item version. There were significant correlations between KCL versions and Fried's Frailty Phenotype, Edmonton Scale, Tilburg Indicator and FRAIL Scale. Consistent significant correlations were also obtained with all frailty measurements and instrumental activities of daily living, physical strength, eating, socialization, and mood domains of the KCL. The KCL closely correlated with other standardized measurements of physical function, cognitive function, depressive mood, and health‐related quality of life. The KCL also showed satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for frailty (area under the curve 0.891 for KCL‐25; area under the curve 0.857 for KCL‐15). The optimal cut‐off points were 5/6 and 3/4, respectively. Conclusions: The findings suggest that both versions of the KCL, especially KCL‐15, showed adequate evidence of validity and internal consistency as a preliminary screening of frailty among community‐dwelling older adults in Spain. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 262–267. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) are important determinants of health in older adults. This study aimed to describe the composition of accelerometer-measured SB and PA in older adults, to explore self-reported context-specific SB, and to assess sociodemographic and functional correlates of engaging in higher levels of SB in participants of a multicenter study including four European countries.Method: One thousand three hundred and sixty community-dwelling older adults from the SITLESS study (61.8% women; 75.3 ± 6.3 years) completed a self-reported SB questionnaire and wore an ActiGraph accelerometer for 7 days. Accelerometer-determined compositional descriptive statistics were calculated. A fixed-effects regression analysis was conducted to assess the sociodemographic (country, age, sex, civil status, education, and medications) and functional (body mass index and gait speed) correlates.Results: Older adults spent 78.8% of waking time in SB, 18.6% in light-intensity PA, and 2.6% in moderate-to-vigorous PA. Accelerometry showed that women engaged in more light-intensity PA and walking and men engaged in higher amounts of moderate-to-vigorous PA. Watching television and reading accounted for 47.2% of waking time. Older age, being a man, single, taking more medications, being obese and overweight, and having a slower gait speed were statistically significant correlates of more sedentary time.Conclusions: The high amount of SB of our participants justifies the need to develop and evaluate interventions to reduce sitting time. A clinically relevant change in gait speed can decrease almost 0.45 percentage points of sedentary time. The distribution of context-specific sedentary activities by country and sex showed minor differences, albeit worth noting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim was to analyse the associations between several physical fitness variables and bone parameters in a sample of elderly people. 129 participants (94 females and 35 males, 76.2 ± 5.4 y) from the EXERNET cohort of Zaragoza (Spain) were included in the study. Physical fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test Battery. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the tibia and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the hip and lumbar spine were used to assess bone and muscle parameters. Partial correlations were used to describe the associations between fitness and bone parameters. A stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the influence of fitness variables on bone parameters. In males, significant correlations were found between lower body strength and agility with bone total mineral density (Tt.BMD) (r = 0.41 and -0.50) and cortical thickness (r = 0.40 and -0.50, respectively) and walking speed with total and cortical density (r = − 0.41 and -0.40, respectively), all measured at tibia (all p < 0.05). Regarding DXA, neck areal bone mineral density (aBMD) correlated with flexibility (r = − 0.37) and walking speed (r = 0.39) and Ward's triangle with walking speed (r = 0.39). Agility predicted Tt.BMD and cortical thickness ( r 2 change = 24.8 % and 23.0%), while walking speed predicted cortical bone mineral density ( r 2 change = 19.5 %) (all p < 0.05). Females showed correlations between balance and total hip aBMD (r = 0.27) and trochanter aBMD (r = 0.25). Balance predicted trochanter ( r 2 change = 4.2 %) and total hip aBMD ( r 2 change = 4.9 %) (both p < 0.05). In conclusion, bone mass in elderly males seems to be more influenced by physical fitness than in females, being agility and walking speed the variables showing greater associations. Other variables should be taken into account in females for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although clinical gait speed may indicate health and well-being in older adults, there is a lack of studies comparing clinical tests with ambulatory gait speed with regard to several health outcomes. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the associations of clinical gait speed, measured by the 2.44-m walk test and the ambulatory gait speed with several physical, mental, and cognitive health outcomes in older adults. Design A cross-sectional design was used. Methods The study population comprised 432 high-functioning, community-dwelling older adults (287 women) aged between 65 and 92 years. Clinical and ambulatory gait speeds were measured using the 2.44-m walk test and a portable gait analysis device, respectively. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the association of clinical and ambulatory gait speeds with several health outcomes (body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, chronic conditions, self-rated health, exhaustion, upper- and lower-body strength, physical and mental health status, cognitive status, and self-rated cognitive status). Results The results showed that the average gait speed for clinical and ambulatory measures cannot be directly compared. Clinical gait speed was associated with 7 health outcomes, and the ambulatory gait speed was associated with 6 health outcomes. The significant associations between measures of gait speed and the health outcomes converged in 5 of the 13 health outcomes studied; however, the strength of associations was singly different between measures. Limitations The short monitoring time, the inability to distinguish between the ambulatory gait speed inside the home and outdoor gait speed, and the under-representative sample are limitations of the study. Conclusion The results indicated differences in the number and strength of associations between clinical and ambulatory gait speed. Both measures have construct validity because they have been associated with physical and health outcomes; however, they may have different predictive validity. Further research should be conducted to compare their predictive validity in longitudinal designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Loneliness is associated with worse health status outcomes. Yet, the present study is one of the first to identify how patterns of loneliness (transient and chronic) are associated with health over time. Design: A total of 2,390 individuals were interviewed in 2011–2012 and 2014–2015 in a follow-up study conducted over a nationally representative sample of Spain. After confirming a longitudinal relationship between loneliness and health status, a growth curve mixture modeling was used to examine health trajectories. Main outcome measures: The three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to assess loneliness. Health status was measured with self-reported questions regarding ten domains (vision, mobility, and self-care, among others), and seven measured tests (including grip strength, walking speed and immediate and delayed verbal recall). Results: A quarter of participants were lonely at baseline. Both the group of transient and chronic loneliness showed a negative significant relationship with health status at follow-up, (β = −0.063 and β = −0.075 respectively, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, the health status did not change across time in any group. Conclusion: People experiencing chronic loneliness had the worst health status. Different patterns of loneliness could benefit from the appropriate interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background the potential benefits of dual-task interventions on older adults living in long-term nursing homes (LTNHs) from a multidimensional perspective are unknown. We sought to determine whether the addition of simultaneous cognitive training to a multicomponent exercise program offers further benefits to dual-task, physical and cognitive performance, psycho-affective status, quality of life and frailty in LTNH residents. Design: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting nine LTNHs in Gipuzkoa, Spain. Subjects 85 men and women (ACTRN12618000536268). Methods participants were randomly assigned to a multicomponent or dual-task training group. The multicomponent group performed two sessions per week of individualized and progressive strength and balance exercises for 3 months. The dual-task group performed simultaneous cognitive tasks to the same tasks as in the multicomponent group. Gait speed under single- and dual-task conditions, physical and cognitive performance, psycho-affective status, quality of life and frailty were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention. Results both groups showed clinically significant improvements on gait performance under single- and dual-task conditions and on the short physical performance battery (P  < 0.05). Both interventions were effective in maintaining cognitive function (P  > 0.05). Only the multicomponent group significantly improved quality of life, and reduced anxiety and Fried frailty score (P  < 0.05). No group-by-time interactions were found except for the chair-stand test in favour of the multicomponent group (P  < 0.05). Conclusions the addition of simultaneous cognitive training does not seem to offer significantly greater benefits to the evaluated multicomponent exercise program in older adults living in LTNHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background the association between vitamin intake and frailty has hardly been studied. The objective was to assess the association of dietary vitamin intake with incident frailty in older adults from Spain. Methods data came from a cohort of 1,643 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65, recruited in 2008–10 and followed up prospectively throughout 2012. At baseline, 10 vitamins were assessed (vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6, B12, C, D, E and folates) using a validated face-to-face diet history. Incident frailty was identified using Fried's definition as having ≥3 of the following five criteria: unintentional weight loss of ≥4.5 kg, exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed and low physical activity. Nonadherence to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) was considered when the intake of a vitamin was below the recommendation. Analyses were performed with logistic regression and adjusted for main confounders. Results during a 3.5-year follow-up, 89 (5.4%) participants developed frailty. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of frailty for those in the lowest versus the highest tertile of vitamin intake were 2.80 (1.38–5.67), P -trend: 0.004, for vitamin B6; 1.65 (0.93–2.95), P -trend: 0.007, for vitamin C; 1.93 (0.99–3.83), P -trend: 0.06, for vitamin E and 2.34 (1.21–4.52), P -trend: 0.01, for folates. Nonadherence to the RDAs of vitamins was related to frailty for thiamine odds ratio (OR): 2.09 (1.03–4.23); niacin OR: 2.80 (1.46–5.38) and vitamin B6; 2.23 (1.30–3.83). When considering tertiles of RDAs for the 10 vitamins those who met <5 RDAs had a higher risk of frailty, OR: 2.84 (1.34–6.03); P -trend: <0.001, compared to those who met >7. Conclusion a lower intake of vitamins B6, C, E and folates was associated with a higher risk of frailty. Not meeting RDAs for vitamins was also strongly associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With ageing, physical and cognitive functions become impaired. Analyzing and determining the association between both functions can facilitate the prevention and diagnosis of associated problems. Some previous works have proposed batteries of physical performance tests to determine both physical and cognitive functions. However, only a few studies have used the gait speed (GS) test as a tool to evaluate parameters representative of health in the elderly such as functionality, mobility, independence, autonomy, and comorbidity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between physical and cognitive functions in older people (over 65 years old) and to detect the most appropriate physical test to assess cognitive impairment, functional independence, comorbidity, and perceived health in this population. Methods: One hundred six older adults (38 men, 68 women) participated voluntarily in this cross‐sectional study. To assess the physical function handgrip strength, GS, 30‐s chair stand tests, and body composition analysis were performed. To evaluate cognitive function, the Mini‐Mental State Examination, Barthel index, and Charlson index were employed. No significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between sexes were found. Results: Multiple regression analysis of the Mini‐Mental State Examination and physical fitness variables, adjusted for age and sex, indicates that GS is a predictor of Mini‐Mental State Examination score (R2 = 0.138). Conclusion: The results showed that GS is an important predictor of functional capacity (physical and cognitive function) in adults over 65 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the relationship between blood pressure and all-cause mortality according to objectively measured walking speed in a Mediterranean population-based sample of older persons. We used data from the longitudinal 'Peñagrande' Cohort Study, initiated in 2008 in a sex- and age-stratified random sample of 1250 people aged ⩾65 years living in Madrid (Spain). A total of 814 individuals participated in the first study wave. The average of two standardized blood pressure readings was used. Walking speed was measured over a 3-m walk and classified as faster (⩾0.8 m s−1) or slower. A total of 314 individuals were slower walkers, 475 were faster walkers and 25 did not complete the walk test. Cox proportional hazards models stratified by walking speed were used to assess the association between blood pressure and all-cause death. Non-linear relationship between BP and mortality was explored by a restricted cubic spline analysis. There were 171 deaths from study entry through 31 March 2013. Systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg were associated with higher mortality than blood pressure values above 140 and 90 mm Hg, respectively, but this association reached statistical significance only for systolic blood pressure and only in the slower walkers. In conclusion, systolic blood pressure levels <140 mm Hg were found associated with higher risk of total mortality among slower walkers in an old Spaniard population cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frailty in the elderly increases their vulnerability and leads to a greater risk of adverse events. According to various studies, the prevalence of the frailty syndrome in persons age 65 and over ranges between 3% and 37%, depending on age and sex. Walking speed in itself is considered a simple indicator of health status and of survival in older persons. Detecting frailty in primary care consultations can help improve care of the elderly, and walking speed may be an indicator that could facilitate the early diagnosis of frailty in primary care. The objective of this work was to estimate frailty-syndrome prevalence and walking speed in an urban population aged 65 years and over, and to analyze the relationship between the two indicators from the perspective of early diagnosis of frailty in the primary care setting. Methods: Population cohort of persons age 65 and over from two urban neighborhoods in northern Madrid (Spain). Cross-sectional analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analysis with binary logistic regression to study the variables associated with frailty. Different cut-off points between 0.4 and 1.4 m/s were used to study walking speed in this population. The relationship between frailty and walking speed was analyzed using likelihood ratios. Results: The study sample comprised 1,327 individuals age 65 and older with mean age 75.41 ± 7.41 years; 53.4% were women. Estimated frailty in the study population was 10.5% [95% CI: 8.9-12.3]. Frailty increased with age (OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.10-1.19) and was associated with poor self-rated health (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.43-4.44), number of drugs prescribed (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.26) and disability (OR = 6.58; 95% CI: 3.92-11.05). Walking speed less than 0.8 m/s was found in 42.6% of cases and in 56.4% of persons age 75 and over. Walking speed greater than 0.9 m/s ruled out frailty in the study sample. Persons age 75 and older with walking speed <0.8 m/s are at particularly high risk of frailty (32.1%). Conclusions: Frailty-syndrome prevalence is high in persons aged 75 and over. Detection of walking speed <0.8 m/s is a simple approach to the diagnosis of frailty in the primary care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess if the impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on nutritional and functional status in malnourished older persons living in nursing homes shown by clinical trials are also found outside a trial setting. Observational, multicenter, prospective, pragmatic study. This study was carried out in 38 nursing homes throughout Spain. Nursing home physicians recruited consecutive residents, older than 65 years, with a diagnosis of malnutrition, when a clinical decision to start ONS had been taken after unsuccessful initial management with dietary interventions. The participants received daily 2 bottles of an energy-rich, high-protein commercial ONS for 3 months. Primary outcomes were changes in nutritional status [body weight, body mass index (BMI), and Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF)]; secondary outcomes were functional changes [Functional Ambulation Classification, Barthel index, handgrip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)], as well as safety and adherence after 12 weeks of follow-up. A total of 282 residents (median age 86 years, 67% women) were included, and 244 (86.5%) completed the follow-up. At baseline, 77.3% of the participants were malnourished (BMI 19.7 kg/m2, interquartile range 18.3–21.8). After 12 weeks of follow-up, participants experienced significant increases in body weight (2.6 ± 3.1 kg, 5.2 ± 5.9%), BMI (1.0 ± 1.2 kg/m2) and MNA-SF (4.0 ± 2.5 points). There were also significant improvements in functional status measured by the Barthel index, handgrip strength, SPPB, and gait speed. Good adherence was registered in 94.6% of the participants. No relevant side effects were found. Improvements in nutritional and functional status can be found when using a high-protein, high-calorie ONS in older undernourished people living in nursing homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Loneliness is related to worse health status outcome. Objectives: The present study aims to identify how longitudinal patterns of loneliness associated with health in old age. Methods: A total of 1,287 individuals aged 50+ were interviewed in 2011-12, 2014-15 and 2017-18 in a follow-up study conducted over a nationally representative sample of Spain. The three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to assess loneliness. Chronic loneliness was defined as the presence of loneliness in the three measurements, whereas transient loneliness expressed the presence of these feelings only at one period of study. Health status was measured with self-reported questions regarding ten domains (vision, mobility, and self-care, among others), and seven measured tests (including grip strength, walking speed and immediate and delayed verbal recall). A multilevel linear regression was used to examine association between loneliness patterns and health over time. Results: Almost a-ten percent of participants reported feeling lonely throughout the three waves, who showed the worst health status. Both the group of chronic and transient loneliness showed a negative significant relationship with health status at follow-up, (ß = -6.2, p<0.001 and ß = -2.50, p = 0.02, respectively). Nevertheless, a significant change in the relationship between loneliness pattern and health status was not observed across time. Conclusions: Loneliness was longitudinally associated with poorer health, although health status of each loneliness pattern did not worsen over time. Different patterns of loneliness could benefit from the appropriate interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]