Biomedical subjects

Eleanor Simonsick

Publications and source records attributed to Eleanor Simonsick.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Sarcopenic obesity and inflammation in the InCHIANTI study.

The aging process is often paralleled by decreases in muscle and increases in fat mass. At the extreme these two processes lead to a condition known as "sarcopenic obesity" (Roubenoff R. Ann NY Acad Sci 904: 553-557, 2000). Research suggests that inflammatory cytokines produced by adipose tissue, especially visceral fat, accelerate muscle catabolism and thus contribute to the vicious cycle that initiates and sustains sarcopenic obesity. We tested the hypothesis that obesity and poor muscle strength, hallmarks of sarcopenic obesity, are associated with high circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines in a random sample of the residents of two municipalities in the Chianti geographic area (Tuscany, Italy). The study sample consisted of 378 men and 493 women 65 yr and older with complete data on anthropometrics, handgrip strength, and inflammatory markers. Participants were cross-classified according to sex-specific tertiles of waist circumference and grip strength and according to a cut point for obesity of body mass index > or =30 kg/m(2). After adjusting for age, sex, education, smoking history, physical activity, and history of comorbid diseases, components of sarcopenic obesity were associated with elevated levels of IL-6, C-reactive protein, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and soluble IL-6 receptor (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that global obesity and, to a greater extent, central obesity directly affect inflammation, which in turn negatively affects muscle strength, contributing to the development and progression of sarcopenic obesity. These results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines may be critical in both the development and progression of sarcopenic obesity.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Chronic kidney disease and cognitive impairment in the elderly: the health, aging, and body composition study.

Previous studies suggest a link between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cognitive impairment. Whether the longitudinal course of cognitive impairment differs among people with or without CKD is unknown. Data collected in 3034 elderly individuals who participated in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study were analyzed. Cognitive function was assessed with the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (3MS) at baseline and then 2 and 4 yr after baseline. Cognitive impairment was defined as a 3MS score <80 or a decline in 3MS >5 points after 2 or 4 yr of follow-up among participants with baseline 3MS scores > or =80. Participants with CKD, defined as an estimated GFR (eGFR) <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, were further divided into two eGFR strata. Unadjusted mean baseline 3MS scores and mean declines in 3MS scores over 4 yr were significantly more pronounced for participants with lower baseline eGFR. More advanced stages of CKD were associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment: Odds ratio (OR) 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 1.69) and OR 2.43 (95% CI, 1.38 to 4.29) for eGFR 45 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and <45 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively, adjusted for case mix, baseline 3MS scores, and other potential confounders. CKD is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment in the elderly that cannot be fully explained by other well-established risk factors. Studies aimed at understanding the mechanism(s) responsible for cognitive impairment in CKD and efforts to interrupt this decline are warranted.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Sarcopenia: alternative definitions and associations with lower extremity function.

OBJECTIVES: To compare two sarcopenia definitions and examine the relationship between them and lower extremity function and other health related factors using data from the baseline examination of the Health Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Two U.S. communities in Memphis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were aged 70 to 79 (N=2984, 52% women, 41% black). MEASUREMENTS: Participants were assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and were classified as sarcopenic using two different approaches to adjust lean mass for body size: appendicular lean mass divided by height-squared (aLM/ht2) and appendicular lean mass adjusted for height and body fat mass (residuals). RESULTS: These methods differed substantially in the classification of individuals as being sarcopenic, especially those who were more obese. The former method was highly correlated with body mass index and identified fewer overweight or obese individuals as sarcopenic. In both men and women, none of the obese group would be considered sarcopenic using the aLM/ht2 method, compared with 11.5% of men and 21.0% of women using the residuals method. In men, both classifications of sarcopenia were associated with smoking, poorer health, lower activity, and impaired lower extremity function. Fewer associations with health factors were noted in women, but the classification based on both height and fat mass was more strongly associated with lower extremity functional limitations (odds ratio (OR)=0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.7-1.2 for low kg/ht2; OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.4-2.5 for lean mass adjusted for height and fat mass). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that fat mass should be considered in estimating prevalence of sarcopenia in women and in overweight or obese individuals.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2002

Satisfaction with support given and its association with subsequent health status.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates health outcomes of older individuals who reported on their level of satisfaction with support given to family, friends, or community organizations. METHODS: A 3-year prospective cohort study of women aged 65 and older. RESULTS: Higher scores on the giving support scale predicted better lower-body function (Beta = .06; SE .02; p = .02) and less ADL difficulty (Beta = -.18; SE .04; p = .0001). The scale was also significantly associated with future hospitalization and death. Women in the lowest quartile were 28% more likely to be hospitalized (relative risk [RR] 1.28; 95% CI 1.00 - 1.65; p = .05) and 52% more likely to die (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03 - 2.26; p = .03) compared with those who scored in the highest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that level of satisfaction with support given to family or friends or the community is associated with future health of the older person.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for late-life suicide: a prospective, community-based study.

Despite the fact that people age 65 and older have the highest rates of suicide of any age-group, late-life suicide has a low prevalence, making it difficult to conduct prospective studies. The authors examined risk factors for late-life suicide on the basis of general information collected directly from older subjects participating in a community-based prospective study of aging, the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Demographic variables, presence of a relative or friend to confide in, alcohol use, and sleep quality were assessed at baseline interview. Baseline and follow-up data were used to determine physical, cognitive, and affective functioning, as well as medical status. Of 14,456 people, 21 committed suicide over the 10-year observation period. Depressive symptoms, perceived health status, sleep quality, and absence of a relative or friend to confide in predicted late-life suicide. Suicide victims did not have greater alcohol use and did not report more medical illness or physical impairment. This study provided additional information about the context of late-life depression that also contributes to suicidal behavior: poor perceived health, poor sleep quality, and limited presence of a relative or friend to confide in.

Age Factors↗