Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: Evidence From the ELSI-Brazil Study.

Background: The association between social isolation and cognitive performance has been less investigated in low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC) and the presence of depression as a moderator on this association has not been examined. The authors examined the associations of social isolation and perceived loneliness with cognitive performance in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, social isolation was evaluated by a composite score including marital status, social contact, and social support.

Validating intrinsic capacity to measure healthy aging in an upper middle-income country: Findings from the ELSI-Brazil.

Background: While efforts have been made to validate intrinsic capacity (IC) as a multidimensional indicator of healthy aging in high-income countries, we still need evidence from lower-income countries. We examined associations of IC with wide ranges of activities of daily living in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged≥50 years.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 7175 participants from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Frailty Modifies the Association of Hypertension With Cognition in Older Adults: Evidence From the ELSI-Brazil.

Background: The relationship between hypertension and cognition in later life is controversial. We investigated whether the association of hypertension with cognition differs in older adults according to the frailty status using cross-sectional data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging, a nationally representative sample of adults aged ≥50 years.

Method: Hypertension was defined by a medical diagnosis or measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg.

Differences in the prevalence of prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and diagnosed diabetes and associated factors in cohorts of Brazilian and English older adults.

Objective: To analyse differences in the prevalence of prediabetes (PD), undiagnosed diabetes (UDD) and diagnosed diabetes (DD) and associated factors between Brazilian and English older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: England and Brazil.

Nationwide vitamin D status in older Brazilian adults and its determinants: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI).

Little is known about vitamin D status in older adults in South America, where exposures to ultra-violet radiation are high. We examined the distribution of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration and its determinants in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 years and older. Explanatory variables included environment and individuals' characteristics from the ELSI baseline survey (2015-16).

Does undiagnosed diabetes mitigate the association between diabetes and cognitive impairment? Findings from the ELSI-Brazil study.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cognitive impairment. However, most of the evidence has been based on self-reported T2DM, and undiagnosed diabetes has not been considered as a separate category. We aimed to examine the extent to which undiagnosed diabetes modifies the association between diabetes and cognitive impairment in a representative sample of Brazilian adults aged 50 years and older.

Perceived discrimination among older adults living in urban and rural areas in Brazil: a national study (ELSI-Brazil).

Background: Research on discrimination and health focused on older adults has been scarce, comparatively with younger and middle-aged adults. Considering where people live matters, accurate measures of perceived discrimination might consider how the place of residence interferes on discriminatory experiences. This study aimed to assess the association between perceived discrimination and urban/rural place of residence among a representative sample of older adults in Brazil.

The future of accreditation of continuing medical education (CME)-continuing professional development (CPD) in Europe: harmonisation through dialogue and consensus.

In Europe, there are currently some 30 different jurisdictions and no overarching legislation regarding CME-CPD accreditation, since legislative competency related to national health-care systems lies with national authorities. Thus, public demonstration of professional agreement regarding the principles, rules and practice of CME-CPD as well as its accreditation is a highly desirable professional and political objective in Europe, where free movement and freedom to offer professional (medical) services is a key feature of the EU vision of the single market. The newly formed association of independent European accreditors, Continuing Medical Education - European Accreditors (CME-EA) is committed to offering a platform for dialogue between individuals and organisations involved in definition of professional codes in general, and accreditation of CME-CPD in particular on the national level.

Position paper on current aspects of sponsoring in accredited CME.

This position paper is the result of a collaborative approach of several European Specialty Accreditation Boards (ESABs) and, has been stimulated by their current experience in accreditation regarding roles and responsibilities assumed by sponsors of accredited continuing medical education (CME). The suggestions made in this paper aim to preserve the fundamental principle in CME accreditation that the physician in charge of the programme has sole responsibility for the selection of topics, speakers, content and format, as well as mode of presentation, and that sponsors will under no circumstances interfere with this principle. This is considered as a responsibility of an individual physician (or physicians), which cannot be delegated, even in part, to third parties.

The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil): Objectives and Design.

Brazil is experiencing among the world's fastest demographic aging worldwide. This demographic transition is occurring in a context of few resources and great social inequalities. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) is a nationally representative study of 9,412 people aged 50 years or older, residing in 70 municipalities across the 5 Brazilian regions.

Factors associated to vaccination against influenza among elderly in a large Brazilian metropolis.

Background: This study aimed to estimate coverage and identify factors associated to vaccination against influenza in the elderly population.

Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and population based. Data was collected in 2010 by the Health, Well-Being and Aging Study.

Oral health and changes in weight and waist circumference among community-dwelling older adults in Brazil.

Background: The authors conducted a study to evaluate the association between changes in weight and waist circumference (WC) and oral health status among older adults in Brazil.

Methods: The study sample consisted of community-dwelling people representing the population 60 years and older in the city of São Paulo who were enrolled in the Health, Well-being and Aging cohort study. Changes in weight and WC were classified as stable (within 5 percent of the second-wave weight and WC), loss (5 percent or more decrease since the second wave) and gain (5 percent or more increase since the second wave).

Relationship between oral health and frailty in community-dwelling elderly individuals in Brazil.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that clinical oral health conditions are associated with frailty independent of socioeconomic and general health status.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Population-based cohort study of health, well-being, and aging.

Relationship between oral health-related quality of life, oral health, socioeconomic, and general health factors in elderly Brazilians.

Objectives: To assess the impact of oral health on quality of life in elderly Brazilians and to evaluate its association with clinical oral health measures and socioeconomic and general health factors.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Population-based cohort study on health, well-being, and aging.

Correlates of change in self-perceived oral health among older adults in Brazil: findings from the Health, Well-Being and Aging Study.

Background: Identifying changes in the oral health status of older populations, and their predictors and explanations, is necessary for public health planning. The authors assessed patterns of change in oral health-related quality of life in a large cohort of older adults in Brazil during a five-year period and evaluated associations between baseline characteristics and those changes.

Methods: The sample consisted of 747 older people enrolled in a Brazilian cohort study called the Health, Well-Being and Aging (Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento [SABE]) Study.

The relationship between nutrient intake, dental status and family cohesion among older Brazilians.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between inadequate nutrient intake, oral health and family cohesion. This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 887 non-institutionalized elderly people from Vitória, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Oral examination was performed by trained and calibrated examiners and three measurements were considered: number of posterior occluding pairs of natural teeth (POP), number of teeth and overall dental status.

Relationship between oral health, nutrient intake and nutritional status in a sample of Brazilian elderly people.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the oral health condition, the nutrient intake and the body mass index (BMI) in elderly people.

Background: Impaired dentition has been associated with an inadequate consumption of key nutrients and with changes in nutritional status in elderly people.

Materials And Methods: The sample comprised 887 elderly people, aged 60 and over, of whom 816 underwent a clinical oral examination and were allocated into groups according to the numbers of teeth and number of posterior occluding pairs of natural teeth.