Rosalind Chia-Yu Chen

Cooking frequency may enhance survival in Taiwanese elderly

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between cooking behaviour and long-term survival among elderly Taiwanese. DESIGN Cohort study. The duration of follow-up was the interval between the date of interview and the date of death or 31 December 2008, when censored for survivors. Information used included demographics, socio-economic status, health behaviours, cooking frequencies, physical function, cognitive function, nutrition knowledge awareness, eating out habits and food and nutrient intakes. These data were linked to death records. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to evaluate cooking frequency on death from 1999 to 2008 with related covariate adjustments. SETTING Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, 1999-2000. SUBJECTS Nationally representative free-living elderly people aged ≥65 years (n 1888). RESULTS During a 10-year follow-up, 695 participants died. Those who cooked most frequently were younger, women, unmarried, less educated, non-drinkers of alcohol, non-smokers, without chewing difficulty, had spouse as dinner companion, normal cognition, who walked or shopped more than twice weekly, who ate less meat and more vegetables. Highly frequent cooking (>5 times/week, compared with never) predicted survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 0·47; 95 % CI, 0·36, 0·61); with adjustment for physical function, cognitive function, nutrition knowledge awareness and other covariates, HR was 0·59 (95 % CI, 0·41, 0·86). Women benefited more from cooking more frequently than did men, with decreased HR, 51 % v. 24 %, when most was compared with least. A 2-year delay in the assessment of survivorship led to similar findings. CONCLUSIONS Cooking behaviour favourably predicts survivorship. Highly frequent cooking may favour women more than men.

Frequent shopping by men and women increases survival in the older Taiwanese population

Background Active ageing is a key to healthy ageing; shopping behaviour is an economically relevant activity of the elderly. Methods Analysis was based on the NAHSIT 1999–2000 dataset. A total of 1841 representative free-living elderly Taiwanese people were selected and information included demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviours, shopping frequencies, physical function and cognitive function. These data were linked to official death records. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate shopping frequency on death from 1999–2008 with possible covariate adjustment. Results Highly frequent shopping compared to never or rarely predicted survival (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.67) with adjustment for physical function and cognitive function and other covariates HR was 0.73 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.93). Elderly who shopped every day have 27% less risk of death than the least frequent shoppers. Men benefited more from everyday shopping than women with decreased HR 28% versus 23% compared to the least. Conclusion Shopping behaviour favourably predicts survival. Highly frequent shopping may favour men more than women. Shopping captures several dimensions of personal well-being, health and security as well as contributing to the communitys cohesiveness and economy and may represent or actually confer increased longevity.

Physical function mitigates the adverse effects of being thin On mortality in a free-living older Taiwanese cohort

ObjectivesTo examine the significance of underweight and physical function as well as their interaction on mortality in the aged.DesignProspective cohort.SettingThe Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan during 1999–2000.ParticipantsTotal of 1435 representative free-living elders (739 men and 696 women).MeasurementsBody composition was assessed by various anthropometrics. Physical function score (PF, ranged 0–100) was derived from the SF-36®. Death by December 31, 2006 was the outcome measure.ResultsAfter 7.9 (median: 7.0) years follow-up, 381 (223 men, 158 women) of 1435 eligible participants had died. Those with the lowest PF (<45) had 3.43 (hazards ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.20–5.36) times the all-cause mortality risk of the highest PF (≥58). Interactions for PF and BMI (P =0.02) and for PF and wrist circumference (P =0.09) on death were found after controlling for potential confounders. Jointly, compared to normal-BMI-highest-PF, the greatest HR for death occurred where BMI <18.5 kg/m2 was combined with the lowest-PF after covariate adjustments (HR = 8.67, 95% CI = 3.77–20.0). Similarly, the lowest arm muscle circumference (MAMC)-PF had a HR of 5.22 compared to mid-MAMC-highest-PF. However, percent and absolute body fat, estimated by bioelectrical impedance, was comparable to non-sarcopenic individuals.ConclusionThin elderly Taiwanese with sarcopenia, and less skeleton, are at the most risk of death, especially if physical function is limited.

Dietary quality may enhance survival related to cognitive impairment in Taiwanese elderly.

Background Impaired cognition increases mortality in the aged. It is unclear how dietary quality might affect this relationship. Objective To examine how dietary diversity and cognition might interact to determine survival. Design In a Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT 1999–2000), 1,839 representative elderly were followed for mortality up to 10 years. The dietary quality measure was a dietary diversity score (DDS, range: 0–6) to present six food groups (dairy, meat, rice and grains, fruit, vegetable,fat and oil) derived from a 24-h dietary recall. Cognitive function was evaluated by the validated Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Results Those with cognitive impairment (SPMSQ≥3 errors) had 2.56 (95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.99–3.28) times the all-cause-mortality risk of those with intact cognition. After control for potential confounders, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) remained significant (1.46, 95% CI: 1.06–2.02). Significant interactions for DDS and cognition were found (p<0.001). Jointly, compared to normal-SPMSQ-highest DDS, the greatest HR is where impaired cognition is combined with the lowest DDS (HR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.19–4.24). Increased DDS was associated with improvement in survival that is especially evident in those with 1–2 errors where the greatest HR reduction was found, and for fruit. Attributability for mortality amounted to 18% for impaired cognition and 33% for least diverse diet. Conclusions Dietary diversity may improve survival in relation to impaired cognitive function.

Abdominal Obesity and Low Skeletal Muscle Mass Jointly Predict Total Mortality and Cardiovascular Mortality in an Elderly Asian Population

BACKGROUND We investigated the combined impact of abdominal obesity and low skeletal muscle mass on cardiovascular and total mortality in an elderly Asian population. METHODS A total of 1,485 elderly individuals (≥65 years) from Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (1999-2000) were enrolled, and their survival status was followed using data from the National Death Registry. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) was calculated by dividing skeletal muscle mass (kg) by height squared (m(2)). Low skeletal muscle mass was defined as the first quartile of SMMI. Abdominal obesity (high triglycerides plus waist circumference [HTGWC]) was defined as triglycerides ≥150mg/dL and waist circumference ≥90cm (men) and ≥80cm (women). The Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the combined impact of abdominal obesity and low SMMI on cardiovascular and total mortality. RESULTS During follow-up (median 9.2 years), one third (n = 493) of subjects died from any cause, of which 34% (n = 168) were cardiovascular-related. Total and cardiovascular mortality were 4.2 and 1.4 per 100 person-years, respectively. Low SMMI and HTGWC were independently associated with total mortality in men, but only low SMMI was significantly associated in women. Those with both HTGWC and low SMMI had the highest mortality risk, with the cardiovascular mortality risk increased by >6.8-fold and 3.2-fold in men and women, respectively, compared with controls having normal SMMI and TGWC. CONCLUSIONS Elderly individuals with abdominal obesity and low skeletal muscle mass have higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk.

Cognitive impairment and limited dietary diversity or physical inactivity are conjoint precursors of incident diabetes more so in elderly women than men

OBJECTIVES To establish whether elderly people with impaired cognition are at greater risk for the de-velopment of type 2 diabetes. DESIGN Prospective population-based cohort study. SETTING The El-derly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT Elderly). PARTICIPANTS One thousand and four hundred ninety-three diabetes-free people >=65 years were followed for incident diabetes in relation to cognitive status for up to 8 years. MEASUREMENTS The association between cognitive impairment and diabetes incidence was analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models with exclusion of people who had diabetes within one year of cognitive function assessments. RESULTS Cognitively-impaired women, but not men, had increased diabetes incidence density (DID). Age, gender, ethnicity and personal behavior adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for type 2 diabetes with normal cognition as referent were 2.43 (95% CI: 1.27-4.63) for women and 1.55 (95% CI: 0.48-5.07) for men. These gender differences and the HR significances remained with adjustments for age, ethnicity, financial status, dietary quality as a dietary diversity score, physical function, physical activity, fasting glucose, indices of body composition, body mass index, waist circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, perceived and mental health status. There were extensive significant interactions with the covariates in women. CONCLUSION Cognitive impairment in later life is associated with greater risk of type 2 diabetes in women and considerable potential risk enhancement.

Low and high homocysteine are associated with mortality independent of B group vitamins but interactive with cognitive status in a free-living elderly cohort

Hyperhomocysteinemia and cognitive impairment both predict mortality and partly because of dietary associations. We have hypothesized that for, nutritional reasons, homocysteine and cognition may act jointly to determine elder survival. In a Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (1999-2000), some 1412 representative elderly were followed up for mortality up to 10 years. Cognition was assessed by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Food and B vitamin intakes with their biomarkers, and plasma homocysteine, were measured at baseline. The possible effects of cognition on homocysteine-associated mortality were ascertained with Cox proportional-hazards models. Homocysteine was higher in those who were older, male, and single, consumed less fish and tea, and with alcohol and smoking. In models adjusted for these variables, when homocysteine exceeded 14.5 μmol/L, mortality was 1.80-fold more than when <9.3 μmol/L (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.20-2.71). P for trend was 0.002 and interactive with sex (P < .002). However, these homocysteine-mortality associations were dependent on cognition (P = .03); adjustment for food intake or nutrient status made little difference. Homocysteine did not predict cognitive impairment (adjusted OR, 1.40; 95% CI = 0.50-3.93). Vitamins B(1), B(2), and B(6) accounted somewhat for cognitive impairment. Cognition predicted mortality, fully adjusted for available covariates and also for homocysteine (HR, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.64-8.20) but interactively with homocysteine. Thus, the B-group vitamin insufficiency and cognitive impairment associations with premature mortality are confirmed. Yet cognition is inter-related with homocysteine in its association with survival in ways not detectably altered by foods or food-derived vitamins.

Increased medical costs in elders with the metabolic syndrome are most evident with hospitalization of men

BACKGROUND Little is known about health care costs associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). OBJECTIVE We assessed annualized health care costs and health outcomes for both genders in different health care settings among representative Taiwanese elders. METHODS The Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (1999-2000) provided 1378 individuals aged 65 years or older with known MetS status. Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan files were linked to National Health Insurance records (1999-2006). Student t tests and multiple regression models were used to assess expenditures in total and in 6 services: inpatient, ambulatory care, dental care, traditional Chinese medicine, emergency care, and contracted pharmacy. The Cox model was used to assess gender effect on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality, whereas logistic regression was used for that on cardiovascular disease hospitalization. The 5 MetS component costs were evaluated by multiple regressions. RESULTS MetS affected 29% of men and 48% of women. After full adjustment, those with MetS had 1.30 (95% CI, 1.11-1.52), men had 1.43 (95% CI, 1.20-1.70), and women had 1.19 (95% CI, 0.93-1.52) times higher costs than those without MetS. Compared with no MetS, MetS costs were increased 2.94-fold for inpatient care (95% CI, 1.23-7.10) and 1.30-fold for ambulatory care for men (95% CI, 1.12-1.52), whereas ambulatory MetS costs were increased 1.28-fold for women (95% CI, 1.05-1.57). MetS was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease hospitalization in men (adjusted odds ratio, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.20-2.58) but not in women (adjusted odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.67-1.75). Among those with MetS, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were comparable between men and women. Of the MetS components, low HDL cholesterol had the greatest affect on costs, more so in men (2.23-fold) than women (1.58-fold). CONCLUSIONS In people with MetS, service costs were greater overall, significantly for men, but not women, and these increased costs were evident for men who experienced hospitalization, but not women. At the same time, cardiovascular and all-cause mortalities were not significantly different by gender in regard to MetS in Taiwanese elders.

Dietary diversity no longer offsets the mortality risk of hyperhomocysteinaemia in older adults with diabetes: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The increased mortality risk of hyperhomocysteinaemia in diabetes may be mitigated by dietary quality. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN The Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan of 1999-2000 for elders formed this prospective cohort. Baseline health status, diet and anthropometry were documented and plasma homocysteine and biomarkers for B vitamins measured. Participants without diabetes (n=985) were referent for those who had diabetes or developed diabetes until 2006 (n=427). The effect of homocysteine on mortality risk during 1999-2008 was evaluated. RESULTS Men, smokers and those with poorer physical function had higher homocysteine, but less so with diabetes. Diabetes incidence was unrelated to homocysteine. In hyperhomocysteinaemia (>=15 vs <15 μmol/L), those with diabetes had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) for mortality of 1.71 (1.18-2.46); p for interaction between homocysteine and diabetes was 0.005. Without diabetes, but with hyperhomocysteinaemia and a low dietary diversity score (DDS <=4 of 6), where the joint mortality hazard for the greater DDS, (>4) and lower homocysteine (<15) was referent, the HR was 1.80 (1.27-2.54) with significant interaction (p=0.008); by contrast, there was no joint effect with diabetes. The contribution of DDS to mortality mitigation in hyperhomocysteinaemia could not be explained by B group vitamins, even though plasma folate was low in hyperhomocysteinaemic participants. With hyperhomocysteinaemia, heart failure was a major cause of death. CONCLUSIONS In non-diabetic hyperhomocysteinaemia, a more diverse diet increases survival prospects independent of B group vitamins, but not in hyperhomocysteinaemic diabetes where the cardiomyopathy may be less responsive.