Depressive Profiles among Older Puerto Rican Adults.

Objective: This study examines the heterogeneity of depressive symptoms among older adults residing on the Island of Puerto Rico and their association with risk and protective health factors.

Methods: Data from the Puerto Rican Elderly: Health Conditions study (PREHCO) to identify risk and protective factors associated with profiles of depressive symptoms. The sample was comprised of 3,114 Puerto Rican older adults ages 60 to 102 (71 ± 8.

A life course view on depression: Social determinants of depressive symptom trajectories over 25 Years of Americans' Changing Lives.

Objectives: This study investigates heterogeneity in trajectories of depressive symptomatology in a national sample of American adults followed over 25 years. Using an innovative combination of data and methods, we sought to illuminate how depressive symptoms change over adulthood in terms of their levels and severity across 25 years, and how the social determinants of health influence differences in those trajectory paths.

Methods: Data come from the Americans' Changing Lives (ACL) study, a national sample of 3617 adults (age 25+) followed over 25 years (1986-2011).

Prospective Disability in Different Combinations of Somatic and Mental Multimorbidity.

Background: Multimorbidity (multiple co-occurring chronic conditions) may be an important contributor to disability and poor health-related quality of life. The functional consequences of specific combinations of somatic and mental health conditions are unclear.

Methods: Nationally representative prospective cohort study using the National Health and Aging Trends Study data of Medicare beneficiaries.

Perceived Discrimination and Longitudinal Change in Kidney Function Among Urban Adults.

Objective: Perceived discrimination has been associated with psychosocial distress and adverse health outcomes. We examined associations of perceived discrimination measures with changes in kidney function in a prospective cohort study, the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span.

Methods: Our study included 1620 participants with preserved baseline kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 60 mL/min/1.

Biopsychosocial Predictors of Fall Events Among Older African Americans.

This study identifies risk and protective factors for falls among older, community-dwelling African Americans. Drawing upon the biopsychosocial perspective, we conducted a series of sex- and age-adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses to identify the correlates of fall events among older African Americans. Our sample consisted of 1,442 community-dwelling African Americans aged 65 and older, participating in the 2010-2012 rounds of the Health and Retirement Study.

Comorbid Parkinson's disease, falls and fractures in the 2010 National Emergency Department Sample.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder of multifactorial etiology affecting ∼1% of older adults. Research focused on linking PD to falls and bone fractures has been limited in Emergency Department (ED) settings, where most injuries are identified. We assessed whether injured U.

Alternative Pathway Analyses Indicate Bidirectional Relations between Depressive Symptoms, Diet Quality, and Central Adiposity in a Sample of Urban US Adults.

Background: Temporality between socioeconomic status (SES), depressive symptoms (DS), dietary quality (DQ), and central adiposity (CA) is underexplored.

Objectives: Alternative pathways linking SES to DQ, DS, and CA were tested and models compared, stratified by race and sex.

Methods: With the use of data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (baseline age: 30-64 y; 2 visits; mean follow-up: 4.

Serum Uric Acid and Its Association with Longitudinal Cognitive Change Among Urban Adults.

Uric acid, a waste metabolite among humans, was linked to various cognitive outcomes. We describe sex and age-group specific associations of baseline serum uric acid (SUAbase) and significant change in SUA (ΔSUA: 1 versus 0 = decrease versus no change; 2 versus 0 = increase versus no change) with longitudinal annual rate of cognitive change among a large sample of urban adults. Data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study, 2004-2009 (visit 1) and 2009-2013 (visit 2) were used.

Nationwide Inpatient Prevalence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Alzheimer's Disease among Older Adults in the United States, 2002-2012.

In the inpatient setting, prevalence, predictors, and outcomes [mortality risk (MR), length of stay (LOS), and total charges (TC)] of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are largely unknown. We used data on older adults (60+ y) from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2002-2012. AD prevalence was ∼3.

Thyroid hormones are associated with longitudinal cognitive change in an urban adult population.

Recent evidence indicates that thyroid hormones may be closely linked to cognition among adults. We investigated associations between thyroid hormones and longitudinal cognitive change, within and outside of reference ranges, stratifying by sex and race. This longitudinal study used data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Lifespan study, set in Baltimore City, MD, 2004-2013, on adults aged 30-64 years at baseline visit, with a length of follow-up between visits 1 and 2 ranging from <1 to 8 years; mean ± standard deviation: 4.

Sexual Problems Among Older Women by Age and Race.

Background: The purpose of our study was to examine the prevalence of sexual problems by age and race among older women in the United States and to examine quality of life correlates to sexual dysfunction among non-Hispanic white and African American older women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using self-report surveys was conducted among community-dwelling U.S.

Associations of the Ratios of n-3 to n-6 Dietary Fatty Acids With Longitudinal Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among US Women.

In the present study, we examined longitudinal changes in self-reported depressive symptoms (and related domains) in relation to baseline intakes of n-3 fatty acids (absolute and relative to n-6 fatty acids). Sex-specific associations were evaluated in a prospective cohort of adults (n = 2,053) from Baltimore, Maryland, who were 30-64 years of age at baseline and were followed for a mean of 4.65 (standard deviation, 0.

Cognitive functioning throughout the treatment history of clinical late-life depression.

Objective: Previous investigations into the relationship between late-life depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning have resulted in mixed findings concerning whether or not depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning are related. The mixed reports may be due in part to differences in clinical and nonclinical samples and to inadequate consideration of the dynamic nature (i.e.

Improving sexual health communication between older women and their providers: how the integrative model of behavioral prediction can help.

Talking about sexual health can be a challenge for some older women. This project was initiated to identify key factors that improve communication between aging women and their primary care providers. A sample of women (aged 60+) completed an online survey regarding their intent to communicate with a provider about sexual health.

The economic, public health, and caregiver burden of late-life depression.

This article reviews the burden of late-life depression (LLD) from several perspectives, including costs of depression treatment and treatment of other comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions; the impact of LLD on job functioning, disability, and retirement; and how LLD influences others, such as family members and caregivers.

Results from the 2004 Michigan Farm-to-School Survey.

The purpose of this study was to investigate Michigan school food service directors' interest in, and opportunities and barriers to, implementing a farm-to-school program. Farm-to-school may be a timely and innovative approach to improving the school food environment and helping food service directors meet their nutrition goals for school meals. Health and agriculture advocates have recognized the importance of farm-to-school in addressing health issues and creating opportunities for farmers and rural communities.