Polypharmacy and gait speed in individuals with mild cognitive impairment

The relationship between polypharmacy and physical performance in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to evaluate the association between polypharmacy and certain physical performance measures used to assess ambulation in early-stage Alzheimer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the dementia outpatient clinic of a tertiary care center. The usage of five or more drugs per day was accepted as polypharmacy and patients with moderate and severe dementia were excluded. Usual gait speed (UGS), timed up and go (TUG), and chair sit-to-stand test (CSST) were applied to assess physical performance status.

RESULTS

There were 134 participants in our study (67.9% female, mean age 80.2 ± 7.9 years) and 75 (56%) patients were polypharmacy patients. The patients with polypharmacy showed poor physical performance compared to the patients without polypharmacy (UGS p = .005, TUG p < .001, CSST p < .001). The parameters that were significantly higher and more common in the polypharmacy group were body mass index (p = .026), hypertension (p = .013), diabetes mellitus (p = .018), ischemic heart disease (p < .001), atrial fibrillation (p = .030), depression (p = .012), and hypothyroidism (p = .007). In multivariate analyses, polypharmacy was independently associated with slow UGS [Odds ratio (OR) 1.248 (95%) confidence interval (CI) 1.145-1.523, p = .007]; long TUG [OR 1.410 (95%) CI 1.146-1.736, p = .001]; and long CSST [OR 1.892 (95%) CI 1.389-2.578, p < .001].

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the association of polypharmacy with poor physical performance in patients with early stage Alzheimer's disease. Prospective long-term studies investigating the relationship of polypharmacy and drug subgroups with physical performance in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease would be appropriate.

Alzheimer Disease and Related Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of Screening, Prevention, and Management for Manual Therapy Providers

Objective

The aim of this narrative review was to review literature relevant to manual therapists about cognitive impairment, together with screening, potential treatment, and prevention modalities.

Methods

A literature search of AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine Database), CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), PubMed, and MEDLINE was conducted with the search terms "cognitive decline," "cognitive impairment," "screening," and "prevention." We reviewed current screening practices, including functional exams, imaging, and laboratory testing. We reviewed current potential preventive measures and treatments being implemented in practice.

Results

We selected 49 resources for this narrative summary. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Exam are recommended screening tools. Imaging and laboratory testing are not recommended in screening for cognitive decline. Promotion of healthy, active living through physical and mental activities may assist with prevention of cognitive decline.

Conclusion

Cognitive decline affects a large proportion of the US population. Recognizing signs and symptoms of this condition starts with individuals, caretakers, family members, and health care providers. Health care providers should utilize the most appropriate screening tools to assess the presence of cognitive conditions.

Factors Associated with Dual-Fluency Walk Speed Improvement after Rehabilitation in Older Patients

Walk speed measured under dual-task conditions (neurocognitive tasks) could reflect patient performance in real-life. Rehabilitation programs are effective in increasing walk speed, but few studies have evaluated the associations between geriatric factors and rehabilitation efficacy under dual-task conditions. Our objective was to investigate the association between geriatric factors and an increase in dual-task walk speed (threshold of 0.1 m/s), after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. We performed a retrospective cohort study that included patients aged 75 years and over, who underwent a complete rehabilitation program and who had a neurocognitive assessment at baseline. The primary outcome was the increase in the dual-task (fluency verbal task) walking speed between pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments. In this study, 145 patients were included, with a mean age of 83.6 years old. After rehabilitation, dual-task walk speed increase in 62 (43%) patients. In multivariate analysis, the following factors were associated with an increase in dual-task walk speed: IADL (OR 2.50, 95% CI [1.26; 4.94], p = 0.009), vitamin D level (OR 0.83, 95% CI [0.72; 0.95], p = 0.008), severe sarcopenia (OR 0.00, 95% CI [0.00; 0.32], p = 0.016), depression (OR 15.85, 95% CI [1.32; 190.40], p = 0.029), number of drugs (OR 1.41, 95% CI [1.04; 1.92], p = 0.027), initial dual-fluency walk speed (OR 0.92, 95% CI [0.86; 0.98], p = 0.014) and time interval between initial and final assessments (OR 0.98, 95% CI [0.96; 1.00], p = 0.06). Identifying patients that are less resilient to rehabilitation may promote a centered-patient approach for an individualized and optimized rehabilitation care.

Prescription Medications and Co-Morbidities in Late Middle-Age are Associated with Greater Cognitive Declines: Results from WRAP

The present study investigated: 1) sex differences in polypharmacy, comorbidities, self-rated current health (SRH), and cognitive performance, 2) associations between comorbidities, polypharmacy, SRH, and objective measures of health, and 3) associations of these factors with longitudinal cognitive performance. Analyses included 1039 eligible Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP) participants who were cognitively unimpaired at baseline and had ≥2 visits with cognitive composites, self-reported health history, and concurrent medication records. Repeated measures correlation (rmcorr) examined the associations between medications, co-morbidities, SRH, and objective measures of health (including LIfestyle for BRAin Health Index (LIBRA), and depression). Linear mixed-effect models examined associations between medications, co-morbidities, and cognitive change over time using a preclinical Alzheimer’s cognitive composite (PACC3) and cognitive domain z-scores (executive function, working memory, immediate learning, and delayed recall). In secondary analyses, we also examined whether the number of medications interacted with co-morbidities and whether they modified age-related cognitive trajectories. The number of prescribed medications was associated with worse SRH and a higher number of self-reported co-morbidities. More prescribed medications were associated with a faster decline in executive function, and more comorbidities were associated with faster PACC3 decline. Those with a non-elevated number of co-morbidities and medications performed an average of 0.26 SD higher (better) in executive function and an average of 0.18 SD higher on PACC3 than those elevated on both. Associations between medications, co-morbidities, and executive function, and PACC3 suggest that persons with more co-morbidities and medications may be at increased risk of reaching clinical levels of impairment earlier than healthier, less medicated peers.

Associations between polypharmacy and physical performance measures in older adults

OBJECTIVES

A preserved ambulation is one of the keypoints for functionality and polypharmacy, a common problem in older adults, is associated with worse functional status. Our aim was to examine the associations of polypharmacy with certain physical performance measures used to evaluate ambulation.

METHODS

This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in a geriatric outpatient clinic. Using ≥5 medications was accepted as polypharmacy. Usual gait speed (UGS), chair sit-to-stand test (CSST), timed up and go test (TUG) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were performed to assess physical performance status. We created two models for logistic regression analyses: Model 1 was adjusted for age, sex and body mass index (BMI). We added comorbidities to Model 1 and further created Model 2.

RESULTS

There were 392 participants (69.1% were female, mean age: 73.9±6.2 years). Polypharmacy was seen in 62.5%. Participants with polypharmacy presented with a poor physical performance compared to the no-polypharmacy group (p<0.001, for each). In multivariate analyses, polypharmacy was independently associated with poor SPPB (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.5; 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.3-4.7 and OR=2.4; 95% CI=1.2-4.8 for Model 1 and 2, respectively) and long CSST (OR= 2.6; 95% CI=1.3-5.2 and OR=3.7; 95% CI=1.7-8.2 for Model 1 and 2, respectively). There was a significant association between polypharmacy and slow UGS in Model 1 (OR=1.9; 95% CI=1.0-3.5); but relationship did not persist after adding comorbidities into the first model (OR=1.6; 95% CI= 0.8-3.1). There was no significant association between long TUG and polypharmacy in any of the models.

CONCLUSION

Polypharmacy is well-known with its association with falls and fractures in older adults and this might be explained by its association with poor physical performance. Whether polypharmacy causes a deterioration in physical performance is an issue needs to be enlightened by further longitudinal studies.

Associations Between Polypharmacy and Gait Speed According to Cognitive Impairment Status: Cross-Sectional Study in a Japanese Memory Clinic

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy, usually defined as the use of 5 or more drugs, is associated with reduced quality of life, adverse events, and frailty. Slow gait speed is a component of physical frailty, and some studies have suggested an association between polypharmacy and slow gait speed.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the effects of polypharmacy on the gait difference according to stages of cognitive decline in a cross-sectional study of memory clinic patients.

METHODS

Participants were 431 outpatients aged 65 year or older who were cognitively normal (CN) or had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Participants were divided into a polypharmacy group and a non-polypharmacy group in each group. Multiple regression analysis and logistic analysis were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

There were 182 patients in the polypharmacy group and 249 patients in the non-polypharmacy group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that gait speed had significant negative associations with number of medications and polypharmacy status in the CN group (β: -0.026 [-0.041 to -0.0018] and -0.128 [-0.022 to -0.0033], respectively) and MCI group (-0.018 [-0.028 to -0.0009] and -0.100 [-0.166 to -0.0034]). Logistic regression analysis also showed that number of medications was associated with slow gait status (< 1 m/s) in the CN group (OR: 1.336 [1.115 to 1.601]) and MCI group (1.128 [1.022 to 1.244]).

CONCLUSION

CN and MCI patients with polypharmacy have slower gait speed. Attention should be paid to decreased gait speed in older adults with polypharmacy even when their cognitive function is relatively preserved.

The comorbidity conditions and polypharmacy in elderly patients with mental illness in a middle income country: a cross-sectional study⋆

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Polypharmacy is extremely high in elderlies with mental illness.

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Dementia and Depression patients have a significantly higher risk for dyslipidemia.

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The prevention of comorbidities and polypharmacy should be high-priority in MICs.

Background

Mental disorders increase the risk factor for developing physical comorbidity conditions, such as cardiometabolic diseases. There is a high prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in the elderly population which hampers clinical response. Studies have shown that this positive correlation between the aging process and enhancement of physical comorbidities is especially high among older adults who live in low or middle income countries.

Objective

To investigate the association between physical disease comorbidities and polypharmacy in older adults with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or major depressive disorder (MDD), living in a middle income country.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of community-dwelling elderly individuals who are cognitively healthy and those with AD, MCI, or MDD. The severity scale of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was calculated to classify the severity of comorbidity condition. Logistic regression model (unadjusted and adjusted for age) were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for cardiometabolic comorbidity (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and overweight), and polypharmacy.

Results

Although there was not an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among the groups, elderly people with mental disorders presented higher odds for polypharmacy condition. Polypharmacy was significantly higher for all groups in comparison with cognitively healthy participants: AD (OR 22.00, 95 % CI 6.11–79.11), MDD (OR 14.73, 95 % CI 3.69–58.75) and MCI (OR 10.31, 95 % CI 2.44–43.59). Elderly patients with AD presented more severe comorbidities and higher risks for dyslipidemia.

Conclusion

Elderly patients with depression, dementia and mild cognitive impairment have considerably higher odds for polypharmacy. People with dementia also have greater comorbidity severity than those who are cognitively healthy. In middle income countries, there is an urgent need to focus on promoting age-appropriate health approaches for the elderly with mental illness to prevent the development of aggravated cardiometabolic conditions and polypharmacy.

Prevalence and factors associated with frailty in hospitalized older patients

Background

Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome that leads to an increase of an age-related disorder of several physiological systems, and cognitive abilities decline. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of frailty among older persons in Belgium and we examined the factors associated with frailty with a principal focus en cognitive, dietary status, and inflammatory parameters.

Methods

A total of 124 participants (90 women, 34 men; age: mean ± SD: 85.9 ± 5.5 years) were studied, recruited from the Geriatrics department, Belgium. Nutritional, cognitive status and physical activity were assessed using Mini Mental State Examination score (MMSE), Mini Nutritional Assessment score (MNA), and Katz score, respectively. Frailty syndrome was evaluated using the modified Short Emergency Geriatric Assessment (SEGA) score. Medication and medical history were recorded. Analyzed biochemical parameters included C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood count, blood creatinine, vitamin D level, and serum protein electrophoresis. According to SEGA score, participants were divided into non-frail (n = 19), frail (n = 25) and severely frail patients (n = 80).

Results

The SEGA score was inversely correlated with MMSE, MNA and Katz score. SEGA.

score was negatively correlated to albumin levels (r = − 0.30; p < 0.001) and positively correlated to CRP, polypharmacy and age (r = 0.28, r = 0.37, r = 0.33 and p < 0.01 respectively). Logistic regression showed a strong association between frailty, Katz score, dementia, polypharmacy and living in nursing home.

Conclusion

Our results provide useful information for understanding mechanisms of frailty. This will help to develop preventive strategies for the elderly at the pre-frailty stage.

Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome in Polypharmacy

OBJECTIVES

Risk factors for motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a predementia syndrome characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints, have been identified, but few are reversible. Polypharmacy is a potentially reversible risk factor for cognitive decline, but the relationship between MCR and polypharmacy has not been examined. Our aim was to compare the epidemiology of MCR and polypharmacy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Community-based Health and Retirement Study cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1119 adults 65 years and older (mean age = 74.7 ± 7.0 y; 59% female).

MEASUREMENTS

Polypharmacy is defined as the use of five or more regularly scheduled medications. MCR is defined as cognitive complaints and slow gait in an individual without dementia.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MCR among 417 participants with polypharmacy was 10%; it was 6% among 702 participants without polypharmacy. The odds of meeting MCR criteria in those with polypharmacy was 1.8 (confidence interval = 1.0-3.0; P = .035) compared with those without polypharmacy, even after adjusting for high-risk medication use.

CONCLUSION

Our results show the coexistence of MCR and polypharmacy in older adults, suggesting a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1072-1077, 2020.

Polypharmacy Is Associated with Lower Memory Function in African American Older Adults

Although previous research has linked polypharmacy to lower cognitive function in the general population, we know little about this association among economically challenged African American (AA) older adults. This study explored the link between polypharmacy and memory function among AA older adults. This community-based study recruited 399 AA older adults who were 65+ years old and living in economically disadvantaged areas of South Los Angeles. Polypharmacy (taking 5+ medications) was the independent variable, memory function was the outcome variable (continuous variable), and gender, age, living arrangement, socioeconomic status (educational attainment and financial strain), health behaviors (current smoking and any binge drinking), and multimorbidity (number of chronic diseases) were the covariates. Linear regression was used for data analyses. Polypharmacy was associated with lower scores on memory function, above and beyond covariates. Among AA older adults, polypharmacy may be linked to worse cognitive function. Future research should test the mechanisms by which polypharmacy is associated with lower levels of cognitive decline. There is a need for screening for memory problems in AA older adults who are exposed to polypharmacy.