1
|
Khalatbari-Soltani S, Si Y, Dominguez M, Scott T, Blyth FM. Worldwide cohort studies to support healthy ageing research: data availabilities and gaps. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 96:102277. [PMID: 38499160 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population ageing is a transforming demographic force. To support evidence-based efforts for promoting healthy ageing, a summary of data availabilities and gaps to study ageing is needed. METHOD Through a multifaceted search strategy, we identified relevant cohort studies worldwide to studying ageing and provided a summary of available pertinent measurements. Following the World Health Organization's definition of healthy ageing, we extracted information on intrinsic capacity domains and sociodemographic, social, and environmental factors. RESULTS We identified 287 cohort studies. South America, the Middle East, and Africa had a limited number of cohort studies to study ageing compared to Europe, Oceania, Asia, and North America. Data availabilities of different measures varied substantially by location and study aim. Using the information collected, we developed a web-based Healthy Ageing Toolkit to facilitate healthy ageing research. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive summary of data availability enables timely evidence to contribute to the United Nations Decades of Healthy Ageing goals of promoting healthy ageing for all. Highlighted gaps guide strategies for increased data collection in regions with limited cohort studies. Comprehensive data, encompassing intrinsic capacity and various sociodemographic, social, and environmental factors, is crucial for advancing our understanding of healthy ageing and its underlying pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saman Khalatbari-Soltani
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Yafei Si
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), UNSW Business School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marielle Dominguez
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), UNSW Business School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tabitha Scott
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), UNSW Business School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Demography, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Fiona M Blyth
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gurugubelli VS, Fang H, Shikany JM, Balkus SV, Rumbut J, Ngo H, Wang H, Allison JJ, Steffen LM. A review of harmonization methods for studying dietary patterns. SMART HEALTH (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 23:100263. [PMID: 35252528 PMCID: PMC8896407 DOI: 10.1016/j.smhl.2021.100263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Data harmonization is the process by which each of the variables from different research studies are standardized to similar units resulting in comparable datasets. These data may be integrated for more powerful and accurate examination and prediction of outcomes for use in the intelligent and smart electronic health software programs and systems. Prospective harmonization is performed when researchers create guidelines for gathering and managing the data before data collection begins. In contrast, retrospective harmonization is performed by pooling previously collected data from various studies using expert domain knowledge to identify and translate variables. In nutritional epidemiology, dietary data harmonization is often necessary to construct the nutrient and food databases necessary to answer complex research questions and develop effective public health policy. In this paper, we review methods for effective data harmonization, including developing a harmonization plan, which common standards already exist for harmonization, and defining variables needed to harmonize datasets. Currently, several large-scale studies maintain harmonized nutrient databases, especially in Europe, and steps have been proposed to inform the retrospective harmonization process. As an example, data harmonization methods are applied to several U.S longitudinal diet datasets. Based on our review, considerations for future dietary data harmonization include user agreements for sharing private data among participating studies, defining variables and data dictionaries that accurately map variables among studies, and the use of secure data storage servers to maintain privacy. These considerations establish necessary components of harmonized data for smart health applications which can promote healthier eating and provide greater insights into the effect of dietary patterns on health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hua Fang
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, 02747, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, 01655, Massachusetts, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +0-508-910-6411;
| | - James M Shikany
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 University Blvd, Birmingham, 35294, Alabama, USA
| | - Salvador V Balkus
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, 02747, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua Rumbut
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, 02747, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, 01655, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hieu Ngo
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, 02747, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Honggang Wang
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, 02747, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeroan J Allison
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, 01655, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lyn M. Steffen
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ridwan AR, Niaz MR, Wu Y, Qi X, Zhang S, Kontzialis M, Javierre-Petit C, Tazwar M, Bennett DA, Yang Y, Arfanakis K. Development and evaluation of a high performance T1-weighted brain template for use in studies on older adults. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:1758-1776. [PMID: 33449398 PMCID: PMC7978143 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Τhe accuracy of template-based neuroimaging investigations depends on the template's image quality and representativeness of the individuals under study. Yet a thorough, quantitative investigation of how available standardized and study-specific T1-weighted templates perform in studies on older adults has not been conducted. The purpose of this work was to construct a high-quality standardized T1-weighted template specifically designed for the older adult brain, and systematically compare the new template to several other standardized and study-specific templates in terms of image quality, performance in spatial normalization of older adult data and detection of small inter-group morphometric differences, and representativeness of the older adult brain. The new template was constructed with state-of-the-art spatial normalization of high-quality data from 222 older adults. It was shown that the new template (a) exhibited high image sharpness, (b) provided higher inter-subject spatial normalization accuracy and (c) allowed detection of smaller inter-group morphometric differences compared to other standardized templates, (d) had similar performance to that of study-specific templates constructed with the same methodology, and (e) was highly representative of the older adult brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Raquib Ridwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mohammad Rakeen Niaz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yingjuan Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Xiaoxiao Qi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marinos Kontzialis
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Carles Javierre-Petit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mahir Tazwar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yongyi Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Konstantinos Arfanakis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kruempel JC, Howington MB, Leiser SF. Computational tools for geroscience. TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE OF AGING 2019; 3:132-143. [PMID: 33241167 PMCID: PMC7685266 DOI: 10.1016/j.tma.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid progress of the past three decades has led the geroscience field near a point where human interventions in aging are plausible. Advances across scientific areas, such as high throughput "-omics" approaches, have led to an exponentially increasing quantity of data available for biogerontologists. To best translate the lifespan and healthspan extending interventions discovered by basic scientists into preventative medicine, it is imperative that the current data are comprehensively utilized to generate testable hypotheses about translational interventions. Building a translational pipeline for geroscience will require both systematic efforts to identify interventions that extend healthspan across taxa and diagnostics that can identify patients who may benefit from interventions prior to the onset of an age-related morbidity. Databases and computational tools that organize and analyze both the wealth of information available on basic biogerontology research and clinical data on aging populations will be critical in developing such a pipeline. Here, we review the current landscape of databases and computational resources available for translational aging research. We discuss key platforms and tools available for aging research, with a focus on how each tool can be used in concert with hypothesis driven experiments to move closer to human interventions in aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C.P. Kruempel
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marshall B. Howington
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Scott F. Leiser
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tai LM, Balu D, Avila-Munoz E, Abdullah L, Thomas R, Collins N, Valencia-Olvera AC, LaDu MJ. EFAD transgenic mice as a human APOE relevant preclinical model of Alzheimer's disease. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:1733-1755. [PMID: 28389477 PMCID: PMC5580905 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.r076315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Identified in 1993, APOE4 is the greatest genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), increasing risk up to 15-fold compared with APOE3, with APOE2 decreasing AD risk. However, the functional effects of APOE4 on AD pathology remain unclear and, in some cases, controversial. In vivo progress to understand how the human (h)-APOE genotypes affect AD pathology has been limited by the lack of a tractable familial AD-transgenic (FAD-Tg) mouse model expressing h-APOE rather than mouse (m)-APOE. The disparity between m- and h-apoE is relevant for virtually every AD-relevant pathway, including amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and clearance, neuroinflammation, tau pathology, neural plasticity and cerebrovascular deficits. EFAD mice were designed as a temporally useful preclinical FAD-Tg-mouse model expressing the h-APOE genotypes for identifying mechanisms underlying APOE-modulated symptoms of AD pathology. From their first description in 2012, EFAD mice have enabled critical basic and therapeutic research. Here we review insights gleaned from the EFAD mice and summarize future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leon M Tai
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Deebika Balu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Evangelina Avila-Munoz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | | | - Riya Thomas
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Nicole Collins
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | | | - Mary Jo LaDu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Medaglia JD. Functional Neuroimaging in Traumatic Brain Injury: From Nodes to Networks. Front Neurol 2017; 8:407. [PMID: 28883806 PMCID: PMC5574370 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the invention of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), thousands of studies in healthy and clinical samples have enlightened our understanding of the organization of cognition in the human brain and neuroplastic changes following brain disease and injury. Increasingly, studies involve analyses rooted in complex systems theory and analysis applied to clinical samples. Given the complexity in available approaches, concise descriptions of the theoretical motivation of network techniques and their relationship to traditional approaches and theory are necessary. To this end, this review concerns the use of fMRI to understand basic cognitive function and dysfunction in the human brain scaling from emphasis on basic units (or "nodes") in the brain to interactions within and between brain networks. First, major themes and theoretical issues in the scientific study of the injured brain are introduced to contextualize these analyses, particularly concerning functional "brain reorganization." Then, analytic approaches ranging from the voxel level to the systems level using graph theory and related approaches are reviewed as complementary approaches to examine neurocognitive processes following TBI. Next, some major findings relevant to functional reorganization hypotheses are discussed. Finally, major open issues in functional network analyses in neurotrauma are discussed in theoretical, analytic, and translational terms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Medaglia
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cohen AA, Legault V, Fuellen G, Fülöp T, Fried LP, Ferrucci L. The risks of biomarker-based epidemiology: Associations of circulating calcium levels with age, mortality, and frailty vary substantially across populations. Exp Gerontol 2017; 107:11-17. [PMID: 28723411 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown contradictory associations between calcium levels and health outcomes. We suspected these conflicting results were the consequence of more general issues with how biomarkers are analyzed in epidemiological studies, particularly in the context of aging. To demonstrate the risks of typical analyses, we used three longitudinal aging cohort studies and their demographic subsets to analyze how calcium levels change with age and predict risk of mortality and frailty. We show that calcium levels either increase or decrease with age depending on the population, and positively or negatively predict frailty depending on the population and analysis; both age and frailty results showed substantial heterogeneity. Mortality analyses revealed few significant associations but were likely underpowered. Variation in population composition (demographics, diseases, diet, etc.) leads to contradictory findings in the literature for calcium and likely for other biomarkers. Epidemiological studies of biomarkers are particularly sensitive to population composition both because biomarkers generally have non-linear and often non-monotonic relationships with other key variables, notably age and health outcomes, and because there is strong interdependence among biomarkers, which are integrated into complex regulatory networks. Consequently, most biomarkers have multiple physiological roles and are implicated in multiple pathologies. We argue that epidemiological studies of aging using biomarkers must account for these factors, and suggest methods to do this.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan A Cohen
- Groupe de recherche PRIMUS, Department of Family Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Ave N, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada.
| | - Véronique Legault
- Groupe de recherche PRIMUS, Department of Family Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Ave N, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada.
| | - Georg Fuellen
- Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing Research, IBIMA Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann, Str. 8, 8057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Tamàs Fülöp
- Research Center on Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, CSSS-IUGS, 1036 rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 4C4, Canada.
| | - Linda P Fried
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th Street, R1408, New York, NY, 10032, United States.
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Longitudinal Studies Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, MedStar Harbor Hospital, 3001 S. Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD, 21225, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Liao W, Hamel REG, Olde Rikkert MGM, Oosterveld SM, Aalten P, Verhey FRJ, Scheltens P, Sistermans N, Pijnenburg YAL, van der Flier WM, Ramakers IHGB, Melis RJF. A profile of The Clinical Course of Cognition and Comorbidity in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study (The 4C study): two complementary longitudinal, clinical cohorts in the Netherlands. BMC Neurol 2016; 16:242. [PMID: 27884130 PMCID: PMC5123233 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0750-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Heterogeneous disease trajectories of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia are frequently encountered in clinical practice, but there is still insufficient knowledge to understand the reasons and mechanisms causing this heterogeneity. In addition to correlates of the disorder, patient characteristics such as their health status, social environment, comorbidities and frailty may contribute to variability in trajectories over time. The current paper outlines the study design and the study population of and provides an overview of the data collected in the Clinical Course of Cognition and Comorbidity in Mild Cognitive Impairment (4C-MCI cohort, n = 315) and Dementia (4C-Dementia cohort, n = 331) Study. Methods The two complementary longitudinal cohorts part of the 4C study began enrolment in March 2010. Participants were prospectively recruited from three collaborating Dutch Alzheimer Centers, with three annual follow-up assessments after baseline. Extensive neuropsychological assessments, and detailed profiling of comorbidities, health and frailty at each follow up were the key features of the 4C study. As such, the 4C study was designed to study if and how patients’ comorbidities and frailty are associated with the course of MCI and dementia measured with a comprehensive and multidimensional set of outcomes including cognition, daily functioning, quality of life, behavioral disturbances, caregiver burden, institutionalization and death and whether the effects of medical health and frailty differ between MCI and dementia stages of cognitive disorders. Conclusion Sampled in a clinical setting, the 4C study complements population-based studies on neurodegenerative disorders in terms of the type of assessment (e.g. comorbidity, frailty, and functional status were repeatedly assessed). The 4C study complements available clinical cohorts of MCI and dementia patients, because the exclusion criteria were kept to a minimum, to obtain a sample that is representative for the average patient visiting a memory clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Liao
- Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Geriatric Medicine & Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9109, (House post 925), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renske E G Hamel
- Alzheimer Centre Limburg, School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel G M Olde Rikkert
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Geriatric Medicine & Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia M Oosterveld
- Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Geriatric Medicine & Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9109, (House post 925), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pauline Aalten
- Alzheimer Centre Limburg, School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans R J Verhey
- Alzheimer Centre Limburg, School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center & Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Neuroscience Campus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Sistermans
- Alzheimer Center & Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Neuroscience Campus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yolande A L Pijnenburg
- Alzheimer Center & Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Neuroscience Campus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wiesje M van der Flier
- Alzheimer Center & Department of Neurology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inez H G B Ramakers
- Alzheimer Centre Limburg, School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - René J F Melis
- Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Geriatric Medicine & Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9109, (House post 925), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
[Harmonisation of databases for the study of frailty in older people: INTAFRADE study]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol 2015; 51:29-36. [PMID: 26613655 DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main objective of the present work is to evaluate the feasibility of harmonising the available information from different independent databases, in order to build an integrated database to study frailty. MATERIAL AND METHODS This work is based on the European project, Integral Approach to the Transition between Frailty and Dependence on older adults: Patterns of occurrence, identification tools and model of care (INTAFRADE), developed by 4 groups, 3 in Spain and one in France. Each partner provided their databases related to the study of frailty. As a previous step to the creation of an integrated database the characteristics and variables included in each study were mapped, specifying whether their harmonisation was possible or not. RESULTS A total of 30 different variables that corresponded to 8 dimensions were identified: Sociodemographic and social characteristics, health status, lifestyle habits, anthropometric measures, other physical measurements, use of health services, and adverse health results. Of them all, 28 (93%) variables were harmonisable, although only 20% were present in all databases, with 47% in 3 of them. In relation to the frailty instruments, all of them were lacking at least 50% of the items. The harmonisation process will allow us to jointly analyse information available on 2,361 people. CONCLUSIONS The European INTAFRADE study will allow a deeper understanding of the frailty process in older people by harmonising information from heterogeneous databases.
Collapse
|
10
|
Neu SC, Crawford KL, Toga AW. Sharing data in the global alzheimer's association interactive network. Neuroimage 2015; 124:1168-1174. [PMID: 26049147 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.05.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network (GAAIN) aims to be a shared network of research data, analysis tools, and computational resources for studying the causes of Alzheimer's disease. Central to its design are policies that honor data ownership, prevent unauthorized data distribution, and respect the boundaries of contributing institutions. The results of data queries are displayed in graphs and summary tables, which protects data ownership while providing sufficient information to view trends in aggregated data and discover new data sets. In this article we report on our progress in sharing data through the integration of geographically-separated and independently-operated Alzheimer's disease research studies around the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Neu
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen L Crawford
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Arthur W Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bell JF, Fitzpatrick AL, Copeland C, Chi G, Steinman L, Whitney RL, Atkins DC, Bryant LL, Grodstein F, Larson E, Logsdon R, Snowden M. Existing data sets to support studies of dementia or significant cognitive impairment and comorbid chronic conditions. Alzheimers Dement 2014; 11:622-38. [PMID: 25200335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia or other significant cognitive impairment (SCI) are often comorbid with other chronic diseases. To promote collaborative research on the intersection of these conditions, we compiled a systematic inventory of major data resources. METHODS Large data sets measuring dementia and/or cognition and chronic conditions in adults were included in the inventory. Key features of the resources were abstracted including region, participant sociodemographic characteristics, study design, sample size, accessibility, and available measures of dementia and/or cognition and comorbidities. RESULTS 117 study data sets were identified; 53% included clinical diagnoses of dementia along with valid and reliable measures of cognition. Most (79%) used longitudinal cohort designs and 41% had sample sizes greater than 5000. Approximately 47% were European-based, 40% were US-based, and 11% were based in other countries. CONCLUSIONS Many high-quality data sets exist to support collaborative studies of the effects of dementia or SCI on chronic conditions and to inform the development of evidence-based disease management programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janice F Bell
- Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | | | - Catherine Copeland
- Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Health Promotion Research Center, Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gloria Chi
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lesley Steinman
- Health Promotion Research Center, Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robin L Whitney
- Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - David C Atkins
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lucinda L Bryant
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, CO, USA
| | - Francine Grodstein
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Larson
- Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rebecca Logsdon
- Psychosocial and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mark Snowden
- Health Promotion Research Center, Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gardner RC, Valcour V, Yaffe K. Dementia in the oldest old: a multi-factorial and growing public health issue. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2013; 5:27. [PMID: 23809176 PMCID: PMC3706944 DOI: 10.1186/alzrt181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The population of oldest old, or people aged 85 and older, is growing rapidly. A better understanding of dementia in this population is thus of increasing national and global importance. In this review, we describe the major epidemiological studies, prevalence, clinical presentation, neuropathological and imaging features, risk factors, and treatment of dementia in the oldest old. Prevalence estimates for dementia among those aged 85+ ranges from 18 to 38%. The most common clinical syndromes are Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and mixed dementia from multiple etiologies. The rate of progression appears to be slower than in the younger old. Single neuropathological entities such as Alzheimer's dementia and Lewy body pathology appear to have declining relevance to cognitive decline, while mixed pathology with Alzheimer's disease, vascular disease (especially cortical microinfarcts), and hippocampal sclerosis appear to have increasing relevance. Neuroimaging data are sparse. Risk factors for dementia in the oldest old include a low level of education, poor mid-life general health, low level of physical activity, depression, and delirium, whereas apolipoprotein E genotype, late-life hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and elevated peripheral inflammatory markers appear to have less relevance. Treatment approaches require further study, but the oldest old may be more prone to negative side effects compared with younger patients and targeted therapies may be less efficacious since single pathologies are less frequent. We also highlight the limitations and challenges of research in this area, including the difficulty of defining functional decline, a necessary component for a dementia diagnosis, the lack of normative neuropsychological data, and other shortcomings inherent in existing diagnostic criteria. In summary, our understanding of dementia in the oldest old has advanced dramatically in recent years, but more research is needed, particularly among varied racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, and with respect to biomarkers such as neuroimaging, modifiable risk factors, and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel C Gardner
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane - Box 1207, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Victor Valcour
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane - Box 1207, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA ; Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane - Box 1207, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, 4150 Clement Street - Box 181, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA ; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street - Box 181, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ascertainment bias in dementias: a secondary to tertiary centre analysis in Central Italy and conceptual review. Aging Clin Exp Res 2013; 25:265-74. [PMID: 23784725 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-013-0039-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Ascertainment bias (AB) indicates a bias of an evaluation centre in estimating the prevalence/incidence of a disease due to the specific expertise of the centre. The aim of our study was to evaluate classification of different types of dementia in new cases appearing in secondary and tertiary centres, in order to evidence possible occurrence of AB in the various (secondary to tertiary) dementia centres. METHODS To assess the mechanism of AB, the rates of new cases of the different forms of dementia reported by different centres were compared. The centres involved in the study were 11 hospital-based centres including a tertiary centre, located in the University Department of Clinical Neurology. The tertiary centre is endowed with state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities and its scientific production is prominently focused on dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) thus suggesting the possible occurrence of a bias. Four main categories of dementia were identified: Alzheimer's disease (AD), DLB, fronto-temporal dementia (FTD), vascular dementia (VaD), with other forms in a category apart. The classification rate of new cases of dementia in the tertiary centre was compared with rates reported by secondary centres and rates of recoding were calculated during a follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS The study classified 2,042 newly diagnosed cases of dementia in a population of 1,370,000 inhabitants of which 315,000 were older than 65. AD was categorized in 48-52 % of cases, DLB in 25-28 %, FTD in 2-4 % and VaD in 17-28 %. During the 2-year follow-up the diagnosis was re-classified in 40 patients (3 %). The rate of recoding was 5 % in the tertiary centre, 2-8 % in referrals from secondary to tertiary centre, 2-10 % in recodings performed in secondary centres and addressed to tertiary centre. Recoding or percentages of new cases of AD or DLB were not different in the comparison between secondary or between secondary and tertiary centres. FTD and VaD were instead significantly recoded. CONCLUSION The results of the study suggest that in a homogeneous area, AB is not interfering with diagnosis of AD or DLB.
Collapse
|