Hunkyung Kim

While many studies have described the association between cognitive decline and eating habits, little attention has been paid to its association with cheese intake. In this epidemiological study of 1035 community-dwelling women aged ≥ 65, we investigated the association between intake/type of cheese and cognitive function. The anthropometry, functional ability, and the frequency of food intake, including cheese, were assessed. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was used to assess cognitive function, and a score of 20–26 was operationally defined as mild cognitive decline. We found that the MMSE score was significantly different between the presence of cheese intake and not (cheese intake: 28.4 ± 1.9; non-cheese intake: 27.6 ± 2.4) and between those who consumed Camembert cheese and those who did not (Camembert cheese: 28.7 ± 1.4; others: 28.3 ± 2.0). After adjusting for confounders, multiple logistic regression identified four independent variables significantly associated with mild cognitive decline: Camembert cheese intake (odds ratio = 0.448, 95% confidence interval = 0.214–0.936), age, usual walking speed, and repetitive saliva swallowing test scores. Our results, while based on cross-sectional data from Japanese community-dwelling older women, identified the significant inverse association between Camembert cheese intake and mild cognitive decline.

While many studies have described the association between cognitive decline and eating habits, little attention has been paid to its association with cheese intake. In this cross-sectional study of 1,035 community-dwelling women aged ≥ 65, we investigated the association between intake/type of cheese and cognitive function. The anthropometry, functional ability, and the frequency of food intake, including cheese, were assessed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and a score of 20–26 was defined as mild cognitive decline (MCD). We found that MMSE score was significantly different between the presence of cheese intake (cheese intake: 28.3±1.9; non-cheese intake: 27.8±2.2) and between the type of cheese consumed (Camembert cheese: 28.7±1.3; others: 28.3±1.9). After adjusting for confounders, multiple logistic regression revealed four significant independent variables for MCD: Camembert cheese intake (odds ratio [OR] = 0.448, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.214–0.936), age (OR = 1.114, 95% CI = 1.059–1.171), usual walking speed (OR = 0.2620, 95% CI = 0.109–0.621), and repetitive saliva swallowing test scores (OR = 0.865, 95% CI = 0.750–0.995). Our results, while based on cross-sectional data from Japanese community-dwelling older women, demonstrated that Camembert cheese intake is significantly associated with MCD.

Diet modification may contribute to the prevention of age-related cognitive decline. The association between dairy product consumption and cognitive function in older people remains unknown. We investigated whether cheese intake is associated with lower cognitive function (LCF) in community-dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional study included 1503 adults aged over 65 years. The analyzed data were obtained through face-to-face interviews and functional ability measurement. Cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and a score ≤23 was defined as LCF. The prevalence of LCF was 4.6%, and this group had smaller calf circumference, slower usual walking speed, and a more frequent history of anemia than subjects with MMSE scores >23. After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression analysis revealed cheese intake (odds ratio (OR) = 0.404, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.198–0.824), age (OR = 1.170, 95% CI = 1.089–1.256), usual walking speed (OR = 0.171, 95% CI = 0.062–0.472) and calf circumference (OR = 0.823, 95% CI = 0.747–0.908) to be significant factors associated with LCF. Although the present study was an analysis of cross-sectional data of Japanese community-dwelling older adults, the results suggest that cheese intake is inversely associated with LCF.

Diet modification may be a potential contributor in the prevention of age-related cognitive decline. The association between dairy product consumption and cognitive function remains unknown in older people. We investigated whether cheese intake is associated with lower cognitive function (LCF) in community-dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional study included 1503 adults aged over 65 years. Analyzed data were obtained from face-to-face interviews and functional ability measurement. Cognitive function was assessed using mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and a score ≤ 23 was defined as LCF. The prevalence of LCF was 4.6% and this group had smaller calf circumference, slower usual walking speed, and more frequent history of anemia than subjects with MMSE scores ≥ 24. After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression analysis revealed cheese intake (odds ratio (OR) = 0.404, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.198-0.824), age (OR = 1.170, 95% CI = 1.089-1.256), usual walking speed (OR = 0.171, 95% CI = 0.062-0.472) and calf circumference (OR = 0.823, 95% CI = 0.747-0.908) as significant factors associated with LCF. Although the present study was an analysis of cross-sectional data of Japanese community-dwelling older adults, the results suggest that cheese intake is inversely associated with LCF.

Background: The influence of neurological or balance dysfunction on cognitive impairment has not been well studied. We compared the results of the balance test, measured by either head or foot sway to consider whole body sway, with those of the cognitive impairment test. Methods: Individuals of either gender, aged over 60 years, underwent a 30 s balance test. We measured sway while standing on one-leg or two-legs. Sway was evaluated by the distance or area of movement of the head or foot pressure. We also evaluated the effect of visual condition: eyes-open (EO) or -closed (EC). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate the degree of cognitive impairment. Results: The head sway area standing on one leg was significantly correlated to MMSE score with EO (correlation r = −0.462). In standing on two legs, no sway test results showed a significant correlation to MMSE scores with EO. With EC, the magnitude of sway became greater, and was significantly correlated to MMSE scores in the head distance. Conclusion: Although the correlation between head sway and MMSE was not strong, head sway showed a stronger correlation than did foot pressure sway. Standing on one leg, as measured by head sway area, may thus predict cognitive impairment.

Aim: Radio‐Taiso, a traditional exercise program in Japan, may serve as a coping strategy for older adults with frailty during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This phase II trial tested program adherence and safety and explored the potential effectiveness of a home‐based Radio‐Taiso.Methods: This assessor‐blind parallel randomized controlled trial included community‐dwelling Jolder Japanese adults with frailty and pre‐frailty. Fifty‐eight eligible participants were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. Intervention participants performed 3–5‐min sessions of Radio‐Taiso one to four times per day for 12 weeks. Feasibility criteria were set at practice and retention rates of ≥75%. Safety was monitored by assessing all adverse events reported by participants during the intervention period, irrespective of causality. Potential effectiveness was exploratorily assessed using items that allow clinical interpretation of changes: mobility and health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL), assessed using the modified short physical performance battery (SPPB) and the SF‐36, respectively.Results: Both practice (83%) and retention rates (100%) met the predetermined feasibility criteria. Eleven adverse events were reported but were supposedly unrelated to the intervention. In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, there was no clinically significant difference in the change in SPPB score between groups (−0.4 points, 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.2, 0.3); however, the intervention group scored higher in the mental component of HR‐QoL than did the control group (3.4 points, 95% CI: −1.1, 7.8).Conclusions: The preliminary data indicate that a phase III trial is feasible, focusing on the mental aspect of HR‐QoL as the primary outcome. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 32–37.

Inflammatory responses contribute to physical decline in older adults. Clinical studies have shown that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of inflammation, is associated with physical decline. However, its association with physical function in community-dwelling older people is still unclear. Hence, we used cross-sectional data to investigate the relationship between NLR and physical function in community-dwelling older adults. Specifically, we analyzed data corresponding to 818 individuals (336 men and 482 women) aged ≥ 75 years, all of whom participated in comprehensive health examinations, including face-to-face interviews, biochemical analyses, and physical function tests. Using these data, we performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between NLR and physical function, adjusting for sex, age, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, instrumental activity of daily living, body mass index, chronic disease, physical activity, serum albumin level, and depressive mood. The results showed that a higher NLR was associated with a lower grip strength, lower knee extension strength, and slower walking speed. Importantly, the relationship between NLR and physical function was maintained after adjusting for the confounding factors. Thus, we showed a significant association between NLR and physical function, supporting the use of NLR as a marker of physical function in community-dwelling older adults.

Recently, an occlusal force-measuring device with a capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor (OFMD-CPS) was developed. We aimed to establish age- and sex-specific standard values for OFMD-CPS-measured occlusal force (OF) and to assess the concurrent validity of the OFMD against another OF measuring system with a pressure-sensitive sheet (Dental Prescale II). Using data from a population-based study, we calculated the OFMD-CPS-measured OF means and deciles in 5-year age groups for each sex. The OFMD-CPS-measured OF was validated against the Dental Prescale II-measured OF with Spearman correlation coefficients. Furthermore, we calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) against the preexisting Dental Prescale II-measured OF cutoff value of 350 N. In total, 596 individuals (236 men and 360 women) with a mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of 73.7 (6.7) years were included in the analyses. The mean (SD) OFMD-CPS-measured OFs were 581.6 (284.6) N in men and 446.9 (209.9) N in women. There was a strong positive correlation (Spearman’s Rho = 0.73) between OFMD-CPS-measured and Dental Prescale II-measured OF. The diagnostic accuracy of the OFMD-CPS-measured OF for the Dental Prescale II-measured OF cutoff value was high (AUC = 0.88). In conclusion, we demonstrated standard values and concurrent validity of OFMD-CPS-measured OF in community-dwelling older adults.

Aim: Identification of modifiable intrinsic factors for occupational falls is required for initiating effective fall prevention strategies for older workers. This study aimed to identify modifiable intrinsic factors related to falls during occupational activities among older workers.Methods: This retrospective study involved 1164 older workers (aged ≥60 years, workdays ≥4/month) sampled from 18 public employment agencies for seniors in Saitama, Japan. Participants were assessed regarding the following 10 modifiable intrinsic factors: multimorbidity, polypharmacy, fall‐risk‐increasing medication use, self‐rated vision and hearing, functional strength, bilateral stepping, standing balance, executive function and visuospatial ability. The number of falls during occupational activities in the past year was also recorded.Results: In total, 111 falls occurred in 73 of the 1164 participants during occupational activities in the past year. A negative binomial regression model showed that use of fall‐risk‐increasing medications (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 4.60, P = 0.031), reduced functional strength (IRR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.21, P = 0.042), poor standing balance (IRR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.09, P = 0.023) and poor visuospatial ability (IRR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.36, P = 0.034) were independently associated with occupational falls.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the assessment of medication use, functional strength, standing balance and visuospatial ability in regular health checks in the workplace may be useful for screening older workers at risk of occupational falls. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 338–343.

Aim: Community settings often need simple screening, rather than detailed tests, to identify cognitive impairment. This study aimed to develop models to screen older adults with cognitive impairment.Methods: This study used data from the Integrated Research Initiative for Living Well with Dementia Cohort Study and included 5830 older adults. Individuals were considered cognitively impaired if their Mini‐Mental State Examination score was less than 24. Three screening models were developed: the simple model (age, sex, and education), the base model comprising 13 candidate variables available in the questionnaire, and the enhanced model, where grip strength and gait speed were added to the base model. We performed binary logistic regression analysis with stepwise backward elimination (P < 0.1 for retention in the model) to develop each model. Then, we calculated integer scores from coefficients to develop score‐based models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate discrimination.Results: Participants with cognitive impairment accounted for 4.0% (n = 233) of the total. The score‐based simple model comprised three variables (AUC = 0.72, sensitivity: 72%, specificity: 61%). The score‐based base model included nine variables (AUC = 0.76, sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 67%). The score‐based enhanced model comprised eight variables, including grip strength and gait speed (AUC = 0.79, sensitivity: 73%, specificity: 70%).Conclusions: This study developed three screening models with acceptable discriminant validity for cognitive impairment. These models comprised simple questionnaire‐based items and common physical performance measurements. These models could enable screening of older adults suspected of cognitive impairment without the need to conduct cognitive tests in community settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 292–297.