Mohammad Bidkhori

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and its relationship with sleep quality and duration remains a topic of growing interest. Poor or insufficient sleep may contribute to the development of hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep duration, sleep quality, and hypertension in community-dwelling adults using data from the Ardakan Cohort Study on Ageing (ACSA). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using ACSA data collected between 2020 and 2022, including 5,872 participants aged 50 years and older from Ardakan, Iran. Sleep quality was assessed using the validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and blood pressure was measured following standard protocols. Hypertension was defined according to the American Heart Association guidelines. Logistic regression models were employed to assess associations between sleep quality and hypertension. Hypertensive participants (n = 2,967) showed poorer sleep quality than non-hypertensive individuals (n = 2,905), as indicated by a higher mean PSQI score (8.13 ± 4.23 vs. 6.93 ± 4.06; P < 0.001), a higher prevalence of poor sleep (76.99% vs. 66.53%; P < 0.001), longer sleep latency (50.69% vs. 42.62%; P < 0.001), and a greater proportion of insufficient sleep (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that a sleep duration of 6-7 h was associated with 28% lower odds of hypertension (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64-0.94, P = 0.01). Poor sleep quality was borderline associated with hypertension in the total population (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.99-1.35, P = 0.05). Sleep latency categories were not significantly associated with hypertension in adjusted models. In this cross-sectional study, a sleep duration of 6-7 h was associated with lower odds of hypertension, while poor sleep quality showed a borderline association. No significant association was observed between sleep latency and hypertension in the fully adjusted models. These findings warrant further investigation in longitudinal studies to clarify causality.

The significance of smoking as a leading risk factor for preventable deaths across all age groups is widely recognized. It not only poses risks to the smoker but also impacts individuals in their p...

Background and Aims: Although physical functions are associated with quality of life and well‐being, research on objective and subjective measures in older adults is limited. This study examines the relationship between objective and subjective physical functions with health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and well‐being in a sample of Iranian older adults. Methods: A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted on data from 3,480 participants in the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA). Physical function was assessed by objective (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and Timed Up and Go (TUG)) and subjective methods (Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and Physical Activity (PA). HRQoL was measured using the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐12), which provided Physical and Mental Component Summary scores (PCS and MCS). Psychological well‐being was evaluated using the World Health Organization‐Five Well‐Being Index (WHO‐5). Results: After adjusting for confounders, the higher SPPB score ( β = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.43), high TUG score ( β = −3.21; 95% CI: −4.02 to −2.40), limitations in ADL ( β = −4.97; 95% CI: −5.05 to −3.21) and IADL ( β = −6.27; 95% CI: −7.16 to −5.37), and low levels of PA were associated with the PCS. Only ADL ( β = −1.25; 95% CI: −2.18 to −0.31) and low levels of PA showed significant associations with MCS. Logistic regression further indicated that all physical function measures; SPPB score (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.89–0.96), TUG (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.10–1.71), ADL (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.31–2.18), IADL (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.43–2.36), and PA level, were significantly associated with psychological well‐being. Conclusion: The results emphasize the important role of both objective assessments and subjective evaluations of physical function in understanding and promoting health in older adults.

Background: Neck circumference (NC) is a measure to identify upper‐body adiposity and has been hypothesized to be linked with hypertension (HTN). This study endeavors to examine the association between NC and HTN among middle‐aged and elderly Iranian adults. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, adults over 50 years of age were recruited through a stratified random sampling approach. Anthropometric measurements, blood biochemical indicators, blood pressure (BP) readings, and evaluations of physical activity (PA) levels were conducted. Results: In the univariable regression analyses, age, NC, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio, total cholesterol, presence of diabetes, PA levels, LDL‐C, and HDL‐C were found to be associated with HTN in both genders ( p < 0.2). Notably, triglyceride levels showed a significant association solely among females. Subsequent multivariable regression analyses revealed an association between NC and HTN in both male and female participants (adjusted OR = 1.04 (95% CI: 1.008, 1.08) and 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.10), respectively). Conclusion: Individuals with higher NC demonstrated an increased likelihood of developing HTN. The strength of this association appeared to be slightly more pronounced in women. Consequently, individuals with larger NC measurements should undergo regular monitoring of BP levels to mitigate potential HTN risks.

Background and objective: Dyslipidemia is a major modifiable factor in elderly people. The study objective was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of dyslipidemia among the Iranian population aged over 50. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study is part of the Iranian Longitudinal Study on Ageing conducted in Ardakan, Iran. In total, 5,197 participants aged over 50 years old were included through a stratified random sampling method. Dyslipidemia was defined in compliance with the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The Chi-square and independent sample t-test were used to compare categorical and quantitative variables, respectively. A logistic regression analysis was applied to determine associated factors of dyslipidemia. Results: The mean age of the participants was 62.24±7.52. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 68.85%. High levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and low level of high-density lipoprotein were seen among 9.74%, 24.66%, 5.54%, 19.20% of the participants, respectively. In addition, 66.05% of the study participants were under the treatment of lipid-lowering medications. Among the possible investigated risk factors of dyslipidemia, male gender (odds ratio (OR) = 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47, 0.68), waist circumference (OR = 1.03, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.04), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.96, 2.66), and hypertension (OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.38, 1.83) showed a statistically significant association (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in Ardakanˈs older population. So, lipid management interventions are necessary for this population.

Neural EGFL like 1 (NELL-1), is a secreted glycoprotein and stimulates osteogenic cell differentiation and bone mineralization. This study aimed to explore the relationship between NELL-1 and Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) as a novel tool for the evaluation of osteoporosis in an elderly population-based cohort study in Iran. A single-locus analysis was performed on TBS using data from 2,071 participants in the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program. The study investigated 376 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the NELL-1 on chromosome 11p15.1. The association between SNPs and the mean TBS L1 to L4 was analyzed through an additive model. Significant variants in the additive model (P_FDRNELL-1 showed a statistically significant association with TBS after adjusting for age and sex. The associations for rs1901945 (β = 0.013, P_FDR = 0.0007), rs1584851 (β = -0.011, P_FDR = 0.0003), and rs58028601 (β = 0.011, P_FDR = 0.0003) were significant in the additive model. Additionally, significant results were observed for rs1901945 and rs58028601 in the dominant model (P−5). This study highlights the association of NELL-1 with TBS, underscoring its potential as a candidate for further research and personalized medicine concerning the impact of this gene on bone quality.

Background: Depression and anxiety are the most frequent and devastating mental diseases among older adults. Several variables are identified as contributing to the development of these illnesses. The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and their related factors in older individuals residing in Ardakan. Methods: ...

Social factors play a crucial role in the quality of life of + 50 adults. This study aimed to investigate the association between social support, depression, and loneliness and the health-related quality of life in + 50 adults of Ardakan. This was a cross-sectional study from the first phase of Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA) in 2019. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL, SF-16), Duke Social Support Index (DSSI), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D10) were used to assess the variables of interest. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the associated factors with the score of the SF-16 tool in two dimensions; physical (PCS) and mental (MCS). A total of 5197 over 50 years individuals included in this study; The mean age was 62.2 ± 7.3 years old, and 52% were male. The mean score for PCS and MCS subscales was 45.6 (95% CI 45.4 to 45.9) and 49.3 (95% CI 49.0 to 49.5), respectively. Adjusted for other variables, having less feeling level of loneliness, and not having depressive symptoms were related to better PCS and MCS scores. The HRQoL for the mental aspect of HRQoL was better than the physical in elder populations. Also, much more focus should be paid to older adults who experience inadequate social support, higher levels of loneliness, and depressive symptoms.