Association of decreased frequency of conversation with depression, oral function and eating alone: A cross-sectional study of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: This study examined the associations between geriatric factors and decreased opportunities for conversation among older adults amid a period of self-restraint during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out in October 2020. The participants were 204 residents aged ≥65 years staying at a private care home in Kyoto city, Japan.

Association between glucose tolerance and mortality among Japanese community-dwelling older adults aged over 75 years: 12-year observation of the Tosa Longitudinal Aging Study.

Aim: Although the relationship between impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and mortality has been investigated in diverse populations, few studies have focused on older populations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between glucose tolerance and overall mortality among populations aged ≥75 years.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Tosa Longitudinal Aging Study, a community-based cohort survey conducted in Kochi, Japan.

Periodontal status is associated with oral function in community-dwelling older adults, independent of dentition status.

Objective: To determine whether periodontal status is associated with oral function, including masticatory performance and occlusal force, among community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Although a potential association between periodontal status and oral function has been reported, variations in the root surface area (RSA) of each tooth have not been considered.

Methods: We used data from a population-based study involving community-dwelling older adults.

Older adults' preferences for and actual situations of artificial hydration and nutrition in end-of-life care: An 11-year follow-up study in a care home.

Aim: To clarify older adults' preferences for and actual situations of artificial hydration and nutrition (AHN) in end-of-life care in a care home.

Methods: Participants were residents of a care home who had completed advance directives regarding preferred methods of AHN from 2009 to 2018. Advance directives alone were available from April 2009 to June 2016 (Wave 1), and advance care planning for AHN including advance directives was introduced in July 2016 (Wave 2).

Gynecological aspects as a component of comprehensive geriatric assessment: A study of self-rated symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse among community-dwelling elderly women in Japan.

Objectives: Despite the reported 'male-female health-survival paradox', no components of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) routinely used in the field of geriatrics focus on female-specific symptoms. To investigate the impact of gynecological factors among elderly women, we noted the gynecological history and examined the association between self-rated symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and CGA.

Study Design: This community-based, cross-sectional study in Japan included 164 community-dwelling women aged ≥75 years.

COVID-19-Related Lifestyle Changes among Community-Dwelling Older Adult Day-Care Users: A Qualitative Study.

In Japan, the community-based comprehensive care system is an important initiative. The purpose of this study was to understand COVID-19-related lifestyle changes experienced by older adults who lived in communities and used day-care services. Using a qualitative inductive research method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 older adults who used day-care services in Kyoto City, which assessed lifestyle changes before and after the spread of COVID-19 during March-April 2021.

Can Muscle Mass Be Maintained with A Simple Resistance Intervention in the Older People? A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Thailand.

The aging population is rapidly increasing worldwide. Sarcopenia is a common and important health problem among older people. The prevalence of sarcopenia among older Thai adults is increasing.

Differences of body composition and physical strength among Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai, Thailand: an inter-ethnic cross-sectional study.

Background: The number of adults aged over 65 years is rapidly increasing in several Southeast Asian countries. Muscle mass decreases with age, leading to sarcopenia. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether differences exist in the body composition and physical strength, according to ethnicity, among community-dwelling Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

A population-based cross-sectional study of the association between periodontitis and arterial stiffness among the older Japanese population.

Objective: To investigate the potential association between periodontitis and arterial stiffness among the older Japanese population.

Background: The prevalence of periodontitis is increasing in Japanese older adults. Arterial stiffness increases the risks of cardiovascular events and death, morbidity, and dementia.

Combined effect of poor appetite and low masticatory function on sarcopenia in community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥ 75 years: A 3-year cohort study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association of the combination of poor appetite (PA) and low masticatory function (LMF) with sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: In total, 173 community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥ 75 years participated in the 3-year cohort study. Appetite assessment using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and masticatory function assessment using spectrophotometric measurement of differences in gum colour before and after masticating colour-changeable chewing gum (ΔE*ab) were performed at baseline.

Periodontitis, periodontal inflammation, and mild cognitive impairment: A 5-year cohort study.

Background And Objectives: Identification of modifiable factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is important since individuals with MCI are at a high risk of dementia and disability. Previous studies have suggested a potential association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment, but the results remain inconclusive. We designed a 5-year longitudinal study to explore the association between MCI and periodontitis and periodontal inflammation in older adults.

Association between objectively measured chewing ability and frailty: A cross-sectional study in central Thailand.

Aim: Limited data are available on the association between oral function and frailty, especially in developing countries. Additionally, the association between objectively assessed chewing function and frailty has not been well studied. The present cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that objectively measured poor chewing ability is associated with frailty in community-dwelling older Thai adults.

Self-rated health is associated with subsequent functional decline among older adults in Japan.

Background: Previous studies have reported that self-rated health (SRH) predicts subsequent mortality. However, less is known about the association between SRH and functional ability. The aim of this study was to examine whether SRH predicts decline in basic activities of daily living (ADL), even after adjustment for depression, among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

Sleep quality among elderly high-altitude dwellers in Ladakh.

It has been already known that people who temporarily stay at high altitude may develop insomnia as a symptom of acute mountain sickness. However, much less is known about people living at high altitude. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high altitude environment on sleep quality for the elderly who have been living at high altitude for their whole lives.

Health and happiness among community-dwelling older adults in Domkhar valley, Ladakh, India.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to show the status of objective geriatric functions and subjective quality of life in Ladakh, India, compared with Japanese controls.

Methods: We analyzed data of 117 people aged 60 years or older in Domkhar, and age- and sex-specific Japanese controls. Variables measured included blood pressure, hemoglobin, timed up & go test, basic activities of daily living, Geriatric Depression Scale and the Visual Analog Scale for subjective quality of life.

Glucose intolerance associated with hypoxia in people living at high altitudes in the Tibetan highland.

Objectives: To clarify the association between glucose intolerance and high altitudes (2900-4800 m) in a hypoxic environment in Tibetan highlanders and to verify the hypothesis that high altitude dwelling increases vulnerability to diabetes mellitus (DM) accelerated by lifestyle change or ageing.

Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study on Tibetan highlanders.

Participants: We enrolled 1258 participants aged 40-87 years.

Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein Among the Elderly in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Objective: Several environmental factors including hypoxia have been reported to contribute to oxidative stress in individuals living in the highlands. However, little is known about the role of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) among community-dwelling elderly in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Methods: The study population comprised 168 community-dwelling elderly subjects aged 60 years or older (male to female ratio, 70:98; mean age, 65.

Postcard intervention for depression in community-dwelling older adults: A randomised controlled trial.

Depression in older adults erodes their health, quality of life and the economy. Existing interventions are not feasible for broad application at the community. Postcard intervention only requires a few resources, and previous studies have shown its effectiveness for patients following drug overdose, self-harm and hospitalisation for major depression.

Oral health status in relation to cognitive function among older Japanese.

Epidemiologic data examining the relationship between oral health status and cognitive status are sparse, especially in Asian populations. This study aimed to assess whether periodontal disease and tooth loss were related to cognitive impairment among older Japanese. Study participants were 291 Japanese (101 men and 190 women, average age: 80.

Association between risk perception, subjective knowledge, and depression in community-dwelling elderly people in Japan.

Risk perception is one of the core factors in theories of health behavior promotion. However, the association between knowledge, risk perception, and depressed mood in depression is unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between subjective knowledge, risk perception, and objective scores of depression in community-dwelling elderly people in Japan.

Social cohesion and health in old age: a study in southern Taiwan.

Background: Previous studies have found that social cohesion and trust (SCT) were associated with psychological well-being and physical health. In this study, we investigated the associations between SCT and mental and physical health among community-dwelling elderly in a town in southern Taiwan.

Methods: The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling elderly aged 65 years and older (68 men, 81 women; mean age, 75.