1
|
Wu Q, Ailshire JA, Kim JK, Crimmins EM. The Association Between Cardiometabolic Risk and Cognitive Function Among Older Americans and Chinese. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glae116. [PMID: 38699992 PMCID: PMC11157968 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) is associated with cognitive health, but the association can be affected by broader social, economic, and medical contexts. The United States and China have very different developmental and epidemiological histories, and thus CMR among older people could be linked to cognitive function differently in the 2 countries. METHODS Cross-sectional and longitudinal ordinary least squares regression models were estimated for each country using nationally representative samples of populations over age 50: 7 430/4 474 Americans and 6 108/3 655 Chinese in the cross-sectional/longitudinal samples. RESULTS In the United States, higher CMR is associated with worse cognitive function (b = -0.08, p < .016). Longitudinally, CMR increase is associated with worse cognitive function at a marginally significant level (b = -0.10, p = .055). No relationship between CMR level or change and cognitive function is observed in China. Higher education levels are linked to better cognitive function and slower cognitive decline in both countries. Unlike older Americans, relative to those with very low education levels, among older Chinese with the highest education level, a higher CMR links to better cognitive function (b = 0.63, p = .013) and slower cognitive decline (b = 0.35, p = .062); Nevertheless, a rapid increase in CMR is additionally harmful (b = -0.54, p = .050) for cognitive function and may lead to faster cognitive decline (b = -0.35, p = .079). CONCLUSIONS The significant relationship between CMR and cognitive function in the United States suggests the importance of monitoring and controlling CMR factors at older ages. The insignificant relationship in China may be explained by the high CMR among those with high education levels, highlighting the need for improving cardiometabolic health through education and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Wu
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Jennifer A Ailshire
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Jung Ki Kim
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Eileen M Crimmins
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fekete M, Major D, Feher A, Fazekas-Pongor V, Lehoczki A. Geroscience and pathology: a new frontier in understanding age-related diseases. Pathol Oncol Res 2024; 30:1611623. [PMID: 38463143 PMCID: PMC10922957 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2024.1611623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Geroscience, a burgeoning discipline at the intersection of aging and disease, aims to unravel the intricate relationship between the aging process and pathogenesis of age-related diseases. This paper explores the pivotal role played by geroscience in reshaping our understanding of pathology, with a particular focus on age-related diseases. These diseases, spanning cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, malignancies, and neurodegenerative conditions, significantly contribute to the morbidity and mortality of older individuals. We delve into the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence, and elucidate their profound implications for the pathogenesis of various age-related diseases. Emphasis is placed on the importance of assessing key biomarkers of aging and biological age within the realm of pathology. We also scrutinize the interplay between cellular senescence and cancer biology as a central area of focus, underscoring its paramount significance in contemporary pathological research. Moreover, we shed light on the integration of anti-aging interventions that target fundamental aging processes, such as senolytics, mitochondria-targeted treatments, and interventions that influence epigenetic regulation within the domain of pathology research. In conclusion, the integration of geroscience concepts into pathological research heralds a transformative paradigm shift in our understanding of disease pathogenesis and promises breakthroughs in disease prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fekete
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - David Major
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Agnes Feher
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Andrea Lehoczki
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Departments of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, South Pest Central Hospital, National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, Saint Ladislaus Campus, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim JK, Faul J, Weir DR, Crimmins EM. Dried blood spot based biomarkers in the Health and Retirement Study: 2006 to 2016. Am J Hum Biol 2024; 36:e23997. [PMID: 37803815 PMCID: PMC10873048 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) has collected biomarker data over multiple waves. Such data can help improve our understanding of health changes in individuals and the causal pathways related to health. There are, however, technical challenges to using the HRS dried blood spots (DBS) biomarker data due to changes over time in assay protocols, platforms, and laboratories. We provide technical and summary information on biological indicators collected as part of the HRS from 2006 to 2016 that should be helpful to users of the data. METHODS We describe the opportunities and challenges provided by the HRS DBS data as well as insights provided by the data. The HRS collected DBS from its nationally representative sample of respondents 51 years of age or older from 2006 to 2016. DBS-based biomarkers were collected from half the sample in 2006, 2010, and 2014, and from the other half of the sample in 2008, 2012, and 2016. These DBS specimens were used to assay total and HDL cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, and cystatin C from 2006 to 2016, and Interleukin 6 was added in 2014/2016. Samples included approximately 6000 individuals at each wave, and completion rates ranged from 81% to 90%. HRS transformed DBS values into venous blood equivalents to make them more comparable to those of the whole blood-based assays collected in most other studies and to facilitate longitudinal analysis. RESULTS Distribution of changes over time by age shows that total cholesterol levels decreased for each age, while HbA1c levels increased. Cystatin C shows a clear age gradient, but a number of other markers do not. Non-Hispanic Black persons and Hispanic respondents have a higher incidence of risk levels of each biomarker except for CRP among non-Hispanic Black older persons. CONCLUSION These public-use DBS data provide analysis opportunities that can be used to improve our understanding of health change with age in both populations and among individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Ki Kim
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Faul
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David R. Weir
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eileen M. Crimmins
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He H, Pan L, Wang D, Liu F, Du J, Pa L, Wang X, Cui Z, Ren X, Wang H, Peng X, Zhao J, Shan G. The association between muscle-to-fat ratio and cardiometabolic risks: The China National Health Survey. Exp Gerontol 2023; 175:112155. [PMID: 36940562 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112155] [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: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between muscle mass and fat mass might be an indicator to assess the cardiometabolic risk independently from overweight/obesity, but evidence from a representative general Chinese population is lacking. OBJECTIVE To understand the age- and sex-specific associations between muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) and cardiometabolic risks in Chinese population. METHODS 31,178 (12,526 men and 18,652 women) subjects from the China National Health Survey were included. Muscle mass and fat mass were assessed by a bioelectrical impedance device. MFR was calculated as muscle mass divided by fat mass. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum lipids, fasting plasma glucose and serum uric acid were measured. General linear regressions, quantile regressions and restricted cubic-spline (RCS) regressions were applied to assess the effect of MFR on cardiometabolic profiles. RESULTS Per unit increase of MFR was associated with a 0.631 (0.759-0.502) mmHg SBP decrease in men, 2.648 (3.073-2.223) in women; 0.480 (0.568-0.392) mmHg DBP decrease in men, 2.049 (2.325-1.774) in women; a 0.054 (0.062-0.046) mmol/L total cholesterol decrease in men, 0.147 (0.172-0.122) in women; 0.084 (0.098-0.070) mmol/L triglycerides decrease in men, 0.225 (0.256-0.194) in women; a 0.045 (0.054-0.037) mmol/L low-density lipoprotein decrease in men, 0.183 (0.209-0.157) in women; a 2.870 (2.235-3.506) μmol/L serum uric acid decrease in men, 13.352 (14.967-11.737) in women; and a 0.027 (0.020-0.033) mmol/L high-density lipoprotein increase in men, 0.112 (0.098-0.126) mmol/L in women. The effect in overweight/obese people was much significant than in under/normal weight counterparts. The RCS curves revealed both linear and non-linear relationships between increased MFR and lower cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSIONS Muscle-to-fat ratio is independently associated with multiple cardiometabolic parameters among Chinese adults. Higher MFR is related with better cardiometabolic health, and the effect is much significant in overweight/obese people and women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huijing He
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Li Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dingming Wang
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianwei Du
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Hainan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Haikou, China
| | - Lize Pa
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Urumqi, China
| | - Xianghua Wang
- Integrated Office, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Ze Cui
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaolan Ren
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hailing Wang
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hohhot, China
| | - Xia Peng
- Department of Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, Yunnan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Jingbo Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guangliang Shan
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pongiglione B, Ploubidis GB, Dowd JB. Older Adults in the United States Have Worse Cardiometabolic Health Compared to England. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:S167-S176. [PMID: 35217868 PMCID: PMC9154237 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Explanations for lagging life expectancy in the United States compared to other high-income countries have focused largely on "deaths of despair," but attention has also shifted to the role of stalling improvements in cardiovascular disease and the obesity epidemic. Using harmonized data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we assess differences in self-reported and objective measures of health, among older adults in the United States and England and explore whether the differences in body mass index (BMI) documented between the United States and England explain the U.S. disadvantage. Older adults in the United States have a much higher prevalence of diabetes, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high inflammation (C-reactive protein) compared to English adults. While the distribution of BMI is shifted to the right in the United States with more people falling into extreme obesity categories, these differences do not explain the cross-country differences in measured biological risk. We conclude by considering how country differences in health may have affected the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in both countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Pongiglione
- Address correspondence to: Benedetta Pongiglione, PhD, Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Bocconi University, Via Sarfatti 10, 20136 Milano, Italy. E-mail:
| | | | - Jennifer B Dowd
- Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|