Takuhiro Okabe

Association of Physical Performance and Pain With Fear of Falling Among Community-Dwelling Japanese Women Aged 65 Years and Older.

AbstractOur aim was to explore the association of physical performance and pain with fear of falling among community-dwelling Japanese women.The subjects were 278 women aged 65 years and over. We collected information on fear of falling, painful joints, comorbidities, falls in the previous year, and cataracts. Walking time (distance of 6 m), chair stand time (5 times), grip strength, the timed up and go test (TUG), and functional reach were measured.The prevalence of fear of falling was 36.3%, and it increased with age, but it was not significant (P = 0.081). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that poor physical performance (longer walking time, longer chair stand time, weaker grip strength, and longer TUG) and pain (low back, and upper and lower extremity pain) were significantly associated with fear of falling after adjusting for age, body mass index, comorbidities, falls in the previous year, and cataracts.Maintaining physical functioning and managing pain may be important for elderly women with fear of falling.

Age-specific risk factors for incident disability in activities of daily living among middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling Japanese women during an 8–9-year follow up: The Hizen-Oshima study

The purposes of the present study were to investigate risk factors for incident disability in activities of daily living (ADL) among middle‐aged and older women, and to determine whether there are differences in risk factors according to age groups.

Usefulness of chair stand time as a surrogate of gait speed in diagnosing sarcopenia

Determining gait speed as a measure of physical performance is recommended in diagnosing sarcopenia. Gait speed measurements require a certain amount of space (e.g. a 6‐m course), and might not be feasible in clinical settings or heath checkup examination sites. We developed a formula to estimate chair stand time based on gait speed, and examined the validity (sensitivity and specificity) of using the estimated chair stand time cut‐off point as a surrogate for the recommended gait speed cut‐off point.

Exercise intervention implemented by trained volunteers improves health-related quality of life among Japanese community-dwelling older females: an intervention study

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the sustainability and efficacy of exercise intervention, as implemented by professionally trained volunteers, on the health-related quality of life among Japanese community-dwelling older females. [Subjects and Methods] We conducted a non-randomized observational prospective study of a six-month exercise intervention delivered by volunteers or health professionals. Health-related quality of life was scored using the Short Form 36 Health Survey before and after the intervention. Participants were classified into three groups, comprising those with improved health, maintained health, and reduced health. [Results] Among 127 Japanese community-dwelling females aged >65 years, 50 of 62 (80.6%) females involved in the intervention conducted by volunteers, and 55 of 65 (84.6%) females involved in the intervention conducted by health professionals, completed the six-month intervention program. Scoring revealed that interventions by both volunteers and health professionals had a maintaining or improving effect on scores in >70% of participants instead of an expected six-month aging decline. [Conclusion] Exercise intervention by trained volunteers was sustainable and effective for improving the health-related quality of life among Japanese community-dwelling older females. Professionally trained volunteers could benefit communities in helping older persons avoid the need for daily nursing care through promoting health activities.

Usefulness of chair stand time as a surrogate of gait speed in diagnosing sarcopenia: Letter to the Editor

conform to the definitions of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, because the purpose of the research is consideration of its usefulness in sarcopenia diagnosis. Fourth, there were mistakes in the description of the height of both sexes, and the weight and BMI of women in Table 1 of reference 1. Female participants could be presumed to be the same as the participants of the Oshima Health Study, which was presented as a reference. We want to ensure that the authors’ interpretation is correct. In addition, the descriptions of the eligibility criteria and the registration methods of the male participants were insufficient. Even if 87 male participants were actually analyzed, the authors should describe the eligibility criteria, and the sources and methods of participant selection. Finally, the height of the chair used for the measurement of chair stand timewas not reported. Thedescription of the chair was only “a standard chair.” The height of the seat surface and the presence or absence of a backrest and armrests were unclear. Chair stand time might change depending on the height of the seat or thematerial of the seat surface. Therefore, to increase the reproducibility of this research, the nature of the chair should be described as in previous research, “A standard chair (with a seat height of 40cm) without a backrest but with armrests was used.” We hope that the authors can address these concerns in order to clarify their findings.

Relationship Between Urinary Cross-Linked N-Telopeptide of Type-I Collagen and Heel Stiffness Index Measured by Quantitative Ultrasound in Middle-Aged and Elderly Men.

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the age-related patterns and the relationship between levels of urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type-I collagen (NTx) and heel stiffness index measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in men with a special reference to age groups of aged 40 to 59 years and ≥60 years.A total of 379 men participated in this study. Heel stiffness index (bone mass) was measured by QUS. Spot urine samples were collected, and urinary NTx was measured. The values were corrected for creatinine (Cre) concentration.Stiffness index was significantly lower in men aged ≥60 years compared with men aged 40 to 59 years (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference of Log (NTx/Cre) by 10-year age groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher level of urinary NTx/Cre was significantly correlated with lower stiffness index after adjusting for age and body mass index in men aged ≥60 years, but not in men aged 40 to 59 years.Higher rates of bone resorption were associated with lower stiffness index only in elderly men. Our results may indicate a different mechanism of low bone mass among different age groups.