The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · May 2021
A Non-APOE Polygenic Risk Score for Alzheimer's Disease Is Associated With Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Light in a Representative Sample of Cognitively Unimpaired 70-Year Olds.
The effect of Alzheimer's disease (AD) polygenic risk scores (PRS) on amyloid and tau pathophysiology and neurodegeneration in cognitively unimpaired older adults is not known in detail. This study aims to investigate non-APOE AD-PRS and APOE ε4 in relation to AD pathophysiology evaluated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in a population-based sample of 70-year olds. A total of 303 dementia-free individuals from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies were included. ⋯ In relation to Aβ42, there was a borderline interaction (p = .06) between non-APOE PRS and APOE ε4; association was present in ε4 carriers only (p = .03). Similar results were observed in individuals with CDR = 0 (n = 246). In conclusion, among cognitively healthy 70-year olds from the general population, genetic risk of AD beyond the APOE locus was associated with NfL in individuals without Aβ42 pathology, and with Aβ42 in APOE ε4 carriers, suggesting these associations are driven by different mechanisms.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Feb 2021
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of 821 Older Patients With SARS-Cov-2 Infection Admitted to Acute Care Geriatric Wards.
There is limited information describing the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized older patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ⋯ This study provides new information about older patients with COVID-19 who are hospitalized. A quick bedside evaluation at admission of sex, functional status, systolic arterial pressure, consciousness, respiratory rate, and asthenia can identify older patients at risk of unfavorable outcomes.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Feb 2021
Effectiveness of a On-site Medicalization Program for Nursing Homes With COVID-19 Outbreaks.
Nursing homes are highly vulnerable to the occurrence of COVID-19 outbreaks, which result in high lethality rates. Most of them are not prepared to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. ⋯ A coordinated on-site MP of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks achieved a higher SOPC rate, and a reduction in referrals to hospital, thus ensuring rigorous but also humanistic and gentle care to residents.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Feb 2021
Changes in Health Care Use by Mexican American Medicare Beneficiaries Before and After a Diagnosis of Dementia.
Evidence from predominantly non-Hispanic White cohorts indicates health care utilization increases before Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) is diagnosed. We investigated trends in health care utilization by Mexican American Medicare beneficiaries before and after an incident diagnosis of ADRD. ⋯ Older Mexican Americans show an increase in hospitalizations and ER admissions before ADRD is diagnosed, which is followed by a decrease after ADRD diagnosis. These findings support the importance of a timely diagnosis of ADRD for older Mexican Americans.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Feb 2021
Unequal Impact of Structural Health Determinants and Comorbidity on COVID-19 Severity and Lethality in Older Mexican Adults: Considerations Beyond Chronological Aging.
COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on older adults. Mexico's population is younger, yet COVID-19's impact on older adults is comparable to countries with older population structures. Here, we aim to identify health and structural determinants that increase susceptibility to COVID-19 in older Mexican adults beyond chronological aging. ⋯ Structural factors and comorbidity explain excess risk for COVID-19 severity and mortality over chronological age in older Mexican adults. Clinical decision-making related to COVID-19 should focus away from chronological aging onto more a comprehensive geriatric care approach.