Multiple socioeconomic risks and cognitive impairment among older men and women in India

Exploring factors contributing to falls in home-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study in Northeastern Thailand

Falls are the most common accidents among older adults in home settings. Older adults experience falls due to several risk factors. In 2005, Thailand became an aging society, with projections indicating that by 2021, older adults would represent the majority of the population, and by 2035, approximately 30 percent of the population would be older adults. Approximately 3 million fall episodes transpire among older adults each year in Thailand, leading to almost 60,000 hospitalizations. The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with falls among older adults in northeastern Thailand, hypothesizing that characteristics such as cognitive capacity, visual acuity, hearing acuity, balance ability, and mobility are associated with fall risk in this population. A cross-sectional analytical study involved 264 older adults aged 60 years or older using a questionnaire and a battery of tests that assessed the participants' cognitive capacity, eyesight proficiency, hearing ability, balancing ability, and mobility. The variables that exhibited a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) were employed in a binary logistic regression analysis. The results revealed that falls among home-living older adults were significantly associated with sex, family size, congenital issues, and mobility. Older adults who were female and had a large family, congenital disorders, or mobility impairments were at a higher risk of falls, which emphasizes the need for personalized prevention strategies. It is recommended to adopt a proactive healthcare strategy to prevent falls and ensure safe living conditions. Interventions aimed at improving balance, mobility, and mental health, as well as encouraging an active lifestyle, may reduce the risk of falls among older adults living in the community. The findings may aid private and government agencies in developing effective fall prevention programs for older adults living at home.

Burden of rheumatoid arthritis in India from 1990 to 2021: insights from the Global Burden of Disease Database

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) significantly impacts individual health and society. This study aims to analyze the burden of RA in India from 1990 to 2021 and provide predictions to inform national prevention and control strategies.

Methods

Utilizing data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database, this study describes changes in incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) related to RA in India from 1990 to 2021, while also observing variations across 31 geographical regions.

Results

From 1990 to 2021 in India, the incidence, prevalence, and DALY rates of RA showed an increasing trend, with all age-standardized rates being significantly higher in females than in males. The age group of 65-69 years showed the highest incidence rate, while the prevalence peaked at 75-79 years. The forecast results indicate that the age-standardized incidence and DALY rates of RA in India will show an upward trend from 2022 to 2036. There were considerable differences in prevalence across different regions. In 2021, the highest male prevalence was in Uttarakhand, while Goa had the lowest. For females, Tamil Nadu had the highest prevalence, and Madhya Pradesh had the lowest. Overall, areas with high Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) showed a higher disease burden, whereas Kerala, despite a higher SDI, had the lowest burden.

Conclusion

Using the GBD database, our findings show that the disease burden of RA in India is on the rise from 1990 to 2021. The prevalence of RA in different regions of India is significantly different, which may be related to local economy and development. The high prevalence of RA in Indian women requires more attention to the early diagnosis and treatment of RA.

Heterogeneous effects of socio-economic status on social engagement level among Chinese older adults: evidence from CHARLS 2020

Introduction

Older adults benefit from social connections as it aids in their adjustment to the physical and psychological changes that come with aging, thereby improving their health, well-being, and overall quality of life.

Methods

This study utilizes data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to investigate the influence of Socio-economic Status (SES) on the social activity levels of older persons and the disparities observed among demographic groups, employing the Heckman two-stage analysis and heterogeneity analysis.

Results

The results indicate that SES has a significant positive impact on the social engagement of older adults, and this effect varies across different older groups, with women, married individuals living with a spouse, urban residents, those aged 70-79, and individuals with average health conditions.

Discussion

To effectively address the social needs of older adults, it is essential to prioritize integrating cohesive structural methods that improve social connections. Establishing solid and sustainable social support mechanisms and meeting the social needs of older adults across various SES and demographic groups are crucial in promoting active and healthy aging.

Cognitive Impairment and Its Associated Determinants Among the Elderly Population of Telangana, India: An Analytical Prevalence Study

INTRODUCTION

Dementia is an insidious cognitive disorder featuring a decline in cognition that is not well explained by the physiology of aging. Dementia includes a group of disorders that are distinguished by a gradual loss of both cognition and the capability to execute day-to-day functions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 384 elderly participants in areas surrounding the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, Telangana, India. Those with more than 65 years of age were included in the study, and those suffering from serious illnesses were excluded. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale, the University of California and Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to assess cognitive status, loneliness, and depression, respectively, among the study participants. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with cognitive impairment (CI), depression, and loneliness.

RESULTS

The average MOCA score of the study participants was 14.9 ± 6.9, with 28.6% of the participants exhibiting severe CI. Nearly half of the participants (49.2%) experienced moderate to high degrees of loneliness, and 39.3% experienced moderate to severe depression. Important factors found to be associated with severe CI were illiteracy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.85, 95% CI: 1.35-4.45), urban residence (AOR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04-0.81), living with a spouse (AOR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11-0.78), not consuming alcohol (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14-0.87), and depression (AOR: 4.49, 95% CI: 1.37-14.67).

CONCLUSION

CI is a serious public health problem in India. With the increasing proportion of the elderly population in the near future, CI levels will increase, especially in countries like India. Timely interventions such as early identification through community-based screening, the inclusion of a geriatric health component in primary health care, and proper counseling will help address this problem at a grassroots level.

Food insecurity and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the longitudinal aging study in India

BACKGROUND

As we grow older, food insecurity (FI) may have an impact on our cognitive abilities. The study examines the association of FI with the cognitive function of older adults in India.

METHODS

We have used the data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), with a sample of 27,032 older adults aged 60 years and older. Bivariate analysis and linear regression models with clusters were applied to show the association. The cognitive performance tests include episodic memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming.

RESULTS

The mean cognition was 24.2 (range 0-43), while 36.4%, 2.1%, and 6.4% experienced mild, moderate, and severe FI, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, mild (β = -0.18, 95% CI: -0.32, - 0.04) and severe (β = -0.52, 95% CI: -0.82, - 0.22) food insecurity was associated with poor overall cognitive performance. Domain-specific differences in cognition, such as memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming, were also validated by the level of FI.

CONCLUSION

The finding suggests that FI is associated with a poor level of cognition among older adults, highlighting the need for increasing the coverage and intervention strategies to address FI in India.