• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.118-125
• /
• 2024

Background: Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that depression can be associated with cognitive function decline, primarily focusing on older adults due to the neurodegenerative characteristics of dementia. With persistent depression frequently reported in patients with early-onset or young-onset dementia, this study aimed to assess the impact of depression, specifically the changes in depressive symptoms over time, on the risk of cognitive function decline in middle-aged adults in Korea. Methods: This retrospective study utilized data from the first four waves (2006-2012) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), focusing on middle-aged adults with normal cognitive function at baseline. Changes in depressive symptoms were categorized into four groups based on the CES-D score, and their association with cognitive function decline was evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Of the initial 10,254 participants, 3,400 were included in the analysis. Depressive status, particularly newly onset (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-2.93) and persistent depression groups (aOR 5.59; 95% CI 2.90-10.78), were significantly associated with cognitive function decline. In contrast, recovery from depressive symptoms was not significantly associated with cognitive function decline (p=0.809). Conclusions: Our study showed a significant association between changes in depressive symptoms and cognitive function decline in middle-aged Korean adults. This suggests that management of depressive symptoms could be crucial for the prevention of cognitive function decline in this population.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.453-467
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the cumulative effects of depressive symptoms on cognitive function over time in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Data were investigated from 2,533 community-dwelling older adults who participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) from the 5th (2014) to the 8th wave (2020). The association between cumulative depressive symptoms and cognitive function was identified through multiple regression analysis. Results: When the multiple regression analysis was conducted from each wave, the current depressive symptoms scores and cognitive function scores were negatively associated, regardless of the waves (B5th = - 0.26, B6th = - 0.26, B7th = - 0.26, and B8th = - 0.27; all p < .001). Further, when all the previous depressive symptoms scores were added as explanatory variables in the 8th wave, the current one (B8th = - 0.09, p < .001) and the previous ones (B5th = - 0.11, B6th = - 0.09, and B7th = - 0.13; all p < .001) were also negatively associated with the cognitive function score. The delta R², which indicates the difference between the model's R² with and without the depressive symptoms scores, was greater in the model with all the previous and current depressive symptoms scores (6.4%) than in the model with only the current depressive symptoms score (3.6%). Conclusion: Depressive symptoms in older adults have a long-term impact. This results in an accumulated adverse effect on the cognitive function. Therefore, to prevent cognitive decline in older adults, we suggest detecting their depressive symptoms early and providing continuous intervention to reduce exposure to long-term depressive symptoms.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.372-379
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This research was conducted to examine the successful aging and identify factors influencing successful aging in the Korean elderly. Methods: The subjects were 4,507 elders and data were collected from the 4th Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing in 2012. The data were analyzed using frequencies, weighted percentage, ${\chi}^2$ test, and logistic regression. Results: The results of this study showed that 19.6% of the participants were categorized to successful aging. The domains of the absence of disease and disability and maintaining physical and mental functioning showed a high rate of achievement, while the domain of active engagement with life showed a low rate of achievement compared to others. Successful aging was influenced by gender, age, subjective economic status, subjective health status, and family support, particularly spouse's support. Conclusion: Intervention programs to increase the prevalence of successful aging are required. Especially programs for strengthening spouse's support and enhancing subjective health status are required.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.23
• /
• pp.10531-10537
• /
• 2015

Background: To examine whether offspring improve or reduce quality of life (QOL) among cancer patients and survivors. Materials and Methods: We used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) from 2008 to 2011. There were 490 research subjects in our study: 245 cancer patients and survivors and 245 controls matched using propensity scores. Results: For cancer patients and survivors with no offspring, the QOL estimate was -2.831 lower (SE: 5.508, p-value: 0.623) than that of those with two offspring, while for those with five or more offspring, the QOL estimate was 7.336 higher (SE: 2.840, p-value: 0.036). For non-cancer patients and survivors with one child, the QOL estimate was -11.258 lower (SE: 2.430, p-value: 0.002) than that of those with two offspring, while for those with five or more offspring, the QOL estimate was -4.881 lower (SE: 2.484, p-value: 0.090). Conclusions: This article provides evidence for a beneficial effect of offspring upon QOL in cancer patients and survivors, indicating that offspring are important for them.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.993-1011
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors associated with the incidence and the transition of disability among Korean older adults. Samples consist of 1,454(42.7%) men and 2,032(58.3%) women aged 65 and over who participated in the 1st and 2nd wave of the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging: KLOSA. To estimate the level of disability, ADL and IADL disability indexes are used. As the results, major risk factors for ADL/IADL disability incidence include injury, vision problem, cognitive function, depression, health behavior, socioeconomic characteristics and age. Among the normal older adults, the odds ratio of having dementia symptoms at 2nd wave(2008) are 2.0 times greater for the older adults who have less cognitive function than those who don't have at 1st wave(2006). Among the older adults with chronic diseases, the odds ratio of having disability at 2nd wave are 1.8 times greater for the older persons who have depression than those who don't have at 1st wave. Secondly, concerning the predictors affecting the disability transition among the disabled older adults at 1st wave, the likelihood of remaining at the same level or deteriorating the level of IADL disability, as compared with improving the level, is associated with having less instrumental support or being older. These results indicate that it is necessary to prefer multilevel intervention in order not only to prevent the incidence of disability, but also to prolong the deterioration of disability in the older adults.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.333-340
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the association between cognitive function and oral health status in the elderly. Methods: In this study, 5,794 respondents, aged 55 or older, who had participated in the 7th aging research panel survey were used. Statistical analyses were performed using a complex samples cross-tabulation analysis, complex samples general linear model, and a complex sample multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: After analyzing the cognitive function of the elderly according to their oral health conditions, it was found that suspicions of dementia (19.6%) and cognitive function decline (25.9%) were more common for those who wore dentures than for those who did not wear dentures (p<0.001). Compared to those who did not wear dentures, those who wore dentures were linked to a 1.665 times higher suspicion of dementia (p<0.001). In comparison, cognitive decline was 0.964 times lower when the number of natural teeth increased by 1, and it was 0.941 times lower when the oral health evaluation index for the elderly increased by 1 point (p<0.001). Conclusions: As a result of this study, it was confirmed that cognitive function and oral health status are related in the elderly. Therefore, systematic measures for oral health management and oral health promotion should be prepared in tandem with awareness of possible cognitive decline in the elderly.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.395-403
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that participation in social activities (SA) can prevent cognitive decline (CD) and that living arrangements (LA) can affect cognitive function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SA and LA on CD, as well as their interactions, using longitudinal data. Methods: Data were used from the 2006-2018 Korean Longitudinal Study for Aging, which followed 10 254 adults older than 45 years over a 12-year period. CD was defined as a ≥4-point score decrease in the Mini-Mental Status Exam over 2 years. We developed an extended Cox proportional hazards model for time-dependent covariates to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of CD in 4 groups: (1) socially active and living with others, (2) socially active and living alone, (3) socially inactive and living with others (SILO), and (4) socially inactive and living alone (SILA). The model was stratified by gender and adjusted for important confounders. Results: The HR of CD was significantly higher in the SILO group in men (HR,1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.78) and in the SILA group in women (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.75). However, the interaction term for gender was not significant. Conclusions: Among socially inactive elderly adults, the HR of CD was elevated in men who lived with others and in women who lived alone, although the interaction term for gender was not significant. Socially inactive men who live with others and socially inactive women who live alone are particularly encouraged to participate in SA to prevent CD.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.278-286
• /
• 2001

With the aging of society a great deal of interest is being placed on the value of longitudinal data in evaluating physiological losses. We present data on test-one/test-two reliability and reproducibility for measures of training, bone density from a longitudinal study of master athletes. Fifty-two males (mean age at test $1=58.2{\pm}9.8\;years$) and thirty-two females ($54.4{\pm}8.8\;years$) were selected from the study population. Bone mineral density was determined using DEXA (Hologic 1500). The characteristics of the subjects are presented below as $means\;{\pm}\;S.D$. The data was imported into the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS 9.0, Chicago, IL). Paired t-tests were performed between visit 1 and visit 2 in subjects. Pearson correlations were performed. The results of this study indicate the measures of training history, body mass and bone density are reasonably stable and reproducible. We conclude that body composition and bone density parameters are stable and reproducible over time in active older subjects. Physiologic measures in master athletes are fairly stable, and reproducible over time Longitudinal studies investigating age-related changes in master athletes need to be conducted on a time schedule of greater than two years.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.282-292
• /
• 2022

Background: Aging societies face social problems of increased medical expenses for older adults due to increased geriatric diseases. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the state change of multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and out-of-pocket medical expenses in the elderly aged 60 or older. Methods: The 2014-2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging data were used for 2,202 elderly people. Four status change groups were established according to the change in the number of chronic diseases. The association between the change of MCC and the out-of-pocket medical cost was analyzed using the generalized estimating equation model analysis. Results: The average out-of-pocket total medical costs were 1,384,900 won for participants with MCC and 542,700 won for those without MCC, which was a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001). Compared to the reference group (simple chronic disease, SCD→SCD), the change in multiple chronic conditions significantly increased the total out-of-pocket medical expenses in MCC→MCC and SCD→MCC groups (MCC→MCC: 𝛽=0.8260, p<0.0001; SCD→MCC: 𝛽=0.6607, p<0.0001). Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that the prevalence of MCC increased with age, and the out-of-pocket medical cost increased in the case of MCC. Continuity of treatment can be achieved for patients with MCC, and the system and management of treatment for MCC are required to receive appropriate treatment.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.49-68
• /
• 2021

The present study aims to examine the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between productive activities and future time perspective in later life. Drawn from the 7^th wave of the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging, our sample consists of a total of 6,756 older adults aged 55 and over. Complex samples analyses were conducted the relationship between productive activities, life satisfaction and future time perspective measured in two dimensions (i. e., life expectancy and job expectation). Results from complex samples analysis showed that productive activities were associated with life satisfaction and future time perspective. Employed older adults including unpaid family workers tended to have higher levels of life satisfaction and future time perspective (i.e., life expectancy and job expectation) than their counterparts. The relationship between productive activities and future time perspective was mediated by life satisfaction. Findings suggest that engaging in productive activities influences better satisfaction with life among older adults, which is eventually linked to an expansive view of the future. Policy implications were discussed that promoting productive activities in later life and age-friendly working environment should be encouraged.