Physical activity and risk of cognitive impairment among older persons living in the community.

Background And Aims: Despite growing interest in the physical and environmental factors associated with the risk of cognitive decline, there is still a lack of information explaining whether they are related to each other. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of lifetime physical activity with cognitive performance in older persons aged 80 years or older.

Methods: Data are from the baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE Study (n=364).

Designing clinical trials of interventions for mobility disability: results from the lifestyle interventions and independence for elders pilot (LIFE-P) trial.

Background: Clinical trials to assess interventions for mobility disability are critically needed; however, data for efficiently designing such trials are lacking.

Methods: Results are described from a pilot clinical trial in which 424 volunteers aged 70-89 years were randomly assigned to one of two interventions-physical activity or a healthy aging education program-and followed for a planned minimum of 12 months. We evaluated the longitudinal distributions of four standardized outcomes to contrast how they may serve as primary outcomes of future clinical trials: ability to walk 400 meters, ability to walk 4 meters in < or =10 seconds, a physical performance battery, and a questionnaire focused on physical function.

HDL-cholesterol and physical performance: results from the ageing and longevity study in the sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE Study).

Background: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been hypothesised to be a reliable marker of frailty and poor prognosis among the oldest elderly. We evaluate the relationship of HDL-cholesterol with measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in older persons aged 80years or older.

Methods: Data are from baseline evaluation of the ageing and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE study) (n = 364).

Correlation between two markers of inflammation, serum C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, and indices of oxidative stress in patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease.

As evidence of the involvement of inflammation and oxidative damage in pathogenesis of age-related chronic diseases is growing, epidemiologists need to develop measures of both conditions to study their relationships in human populations. One way of searching for appropriate biomarkers is to examine correlations between different inflammatory markers and oxidative indices. We examined cross-sectional correlations between two inflammatory markers, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6, and three oxidative indices, plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, and urinary levels of 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-15-F2t-isoprostane (F2-IsoP), in 60 individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Health-related quality of life in older adults at risk for disability.

Background: The number of older adults living in the United States continues to increase, and recent research has begun to target interventions to older adults who have mobility limitations and are at risk for disability. The objective of this study is to describe and examine correlates of health-related quality of life in this population subgroup using baseline data from a larger intervention study.

Methods: The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders-Pilot study (LIFE-P) was a randomized controlled trial that compared a physical activity intervention to a non-exercise educational intervention among 424 older adults at risk for disability.

Depression and physical function: results from the aging and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE Study).

Depression in older persons represents a major issue because of its relevant prevalence and the associated higher risk of adverse health-related events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of depressive symptoms with measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status. Data are from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE Study (n = 364).

Interaction between angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion genotype and exercise training on knee extensor strength in older individuals.

Prior data in young individuals suggest that the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism interacts with exercise to affect athletic performance, but the direction of the genotype effect depends on the outcome assessed (endurance vs. strength). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ACE I/D genotype influences physical function responses to exercise training in older individuals.

Impact of inappropriate drug use on physical performance among a frail elderly population living in the community.

Objective: The criteria for inappropriate drug use developed by Beers have been widely used in drug utilization reviews to assess the quality of prescribing, but there is still inconclusive evidence that these criteria can impact on patient outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of inappropriate drugs and measures of physical performance, muscle strength and functional status in an elderly population (80+ years).

Methods: Data are from the baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study, a prospective cohort study performed in a mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area (L'Aquila, Abruzzo) in Central Italy.

Diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, and incident depressive symptoms among 70- to 79-year-old persons: the health, aging, and body composition study.

Background: Cross-sectional studies find an elevated prevalence of depression among subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM). The causal mechanisms and temporal sequence of this association have not been clearly delineated. This study investigated the prospective relationship between DM and depressive symptoms.

Psychosocial risk factors and the metabolic syndrome in elderly persons: findings from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study.

Background: Psychosocial factors have been associated with metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This study investigated the cross-sectional relationship between psychosocial risk factors and the metabolic syndrome in a community-based sample of older persons.

Methods: Participants were 2917 persons aged 70-79 years enrolled in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study.

Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders pilot study: recruitment and baseline characteristics.

Objectives: To describe several recruitment parameters derived from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders pilot (LIFE-P) study for use in a full-scale trial of mobility disability prevention.

Design: A description of the recruiting methods and baseline characteristics of a four-site randomized, controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention at preventing mobility disability.

Setting: The Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas; Stanford University, Stanford, California; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Research partnership with underserved African-American communities to improve the health of older persons with disability: a pilot qualitative study.

Background And Aims: Underserved ethnic minorities are often under-represented in clinical investigations, often in the context of poor relationships between academic institutions and their minority communities. The aim of this study was to investigate an African-American community's perceptions about the barriers that hinder participation in research studies and, more broadly, on the status of institution/community relationships.

Methods: We conducted a pilot qualitative study, based on semi- structured interviews of leaders of African-American communities in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Polymorphisms of angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme associated with lower extremity arterial disease in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study.

The role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) genes on the risk of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) in elderly people remains unclear. We assessed the relationship of genetic polymorphisms in RAS: G-6A, T174M and M235T of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE_I/D) variant to the risk of LEAD in the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study. This analysis included 1228 black and 1306 white men and women whose age ranged between 70 and 79 years at the study enrollment.

Inflammatory markers and incident fracture risk in older men and women: the Health Aging and Body Composition Study.

Unlabelled: The inflammation of aging hypothesis purports that aging is the accumulation of damage, which results, in part, from chronic activation of inflammation process. We tested this hypothesis in relationship to fractures in 2985 men and women enrolled in the Health ABC study. Results showed that subjects with the greatest number of inflammatory markers have the highest risk of fracture.

Effects of birth cohort and age on body composition in a sample of community-based elderly.

Background: The effect of the recent obesity epidemic on body composition remains unknown. Furthermore, age-related changes in body composition are still unclear.

Objective: The objective was to simultaneously examine the effects of birth cohort and age on body composition.

Free insulin-like growth factor-I and cognitive function in older persons living in community.

Context: Increasing evidences from experimental and human studies suggest that the activity of the growth hormone (GH/insulin-like growth factor-I) axis may contribute to the age-related cognitive decline and poor cognition in late life.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of total serum free IGF-I and its binding protein-3 with cognitive performance in older persons aged 80 years or older.

Design: Data are from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE study (n=353).

Walking while talking: effect of task prioritization in the elderly.

Objective: To examine the effect of 2 instructions on the same walking while talking (WWT) task on task prioritization by nondisabled subjects.

Design: Cross-sectional survey with within subject comparisons.

Setting: Community-based sample.

Anticholinergic drugs and physical function among frail elderly population.

Increasing evidence from experimental studies and human observations suggests that drugs with anticholinergic properties can cause physical and mental impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of drugs with anticholinergic activity and measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in persons aged 80 years or older. Data are from baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study.

Physical exercise and comorbidity. Results from the Fitness and Arthritis in Seniors Trial (FAST).

Background And Aims: Physical exercise is associated with a lower risk of disability. The impact of comorbidity on the benefits from physical exercise has not been clearly investigated. Elders with comorbidity may benefit from physical exercise to preserve physical function.

Effects of a physical activity intervention on measures of physical performance: Results of the lifestyle interventions and independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P) study.

Background: The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which includes walking, balance, and chair stands tests, independently predicts mobility disability and activities of daily living disability. To date, however, there is no definitive evidence from randomized controlled trials that SPPB scores can be improved. Our objective was to assess the effect of a comprehensive physical activity (PA) intervention on the SPPB and other physical performance measures.

Treatment of minor depression in older adults: a pilot study comparing sertraline and exercise.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a pilot clinical trial to test the feasibility and efficacy of an exercise program and anti-depressant treatment compared with usual care in improving the emotional and physical functioning of older adults with minor depression. Participants were 37 older adults with minor depression who were randomized to exercise, sertraline, or usual care; 32 participants completed the 16-week study. Outcomes included measures of both emotional (clinician and self-report) and physical (observed and self-report) functioning.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes are associated with plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 levels but not with myocardial infarction or stroke.

Background: The 4G allele in the promoter region of the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) gene is associated with higher plasma PAI-1 levels and activity, but its association with cardiovascular diseases is unclear. We investigated the association of polymorphisms and common haplotypes of the PAI-1 gene with plasma PAI-1 levels, as well as the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

Methods And Results: This study is a prospective analysis of 2995 community-based participants (41% blacks and 51% women) aged 70 to 79 years old in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study.

Anemia, physical disability, and survival in older patients with heart failure.

Background: Anemia is common in congestive heart failure, and it has been associated with poor prognosis. The effect of anemia on functional ability in heart failure has not been described. We evaluated the relationship of anemia, physical disability, and survival in patients with heart failure.

Impact of inflammation on the relationship among alcohol consumption, mortality, and cardiac events: the health, aging, and body composition study.

Background: Uncertainty remains about the overall survival benefit of alcohol consumption and the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effect of light to moderate alcohol intake. Recent evidence suggests an anti-inflammatory effect of light to moderate alcohol consumption. We investigated the relationship of alcohol intake with all-cause mortality and cardiac events and evaluated whether this relationship is mediated or modified by inflammatory markers.

Effects of ACE inhibitors on skeletal muscle.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce morbidity, mortality, hospital admissions, and decline in physical function and exercise capacity in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. These therapeutic effects are attributed primarily to beneficial cardiovascular actions of these drugs. However, it has been suggested that ACE inhibitor-induced positive effects may also be mediated by direct action on the skeletal muscle.