Objective Aspects of frailty such as sarcopenia and dementia are associated with a proinflammatory state; however, little research has examined the concurrence of these pathologies. This study examined sex-specific differences in the relationship between low muscle quality and impaired cognitive functioning, while considering the role of inflammatory markers. Design The nationally representative sample was drawn from a cross-sectional study. Participants Four hundred forty-five females and four hundred twenty-two males over age 60 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2001-2002 were included. Measurements Muscle quality was calculated as isokinetic strength per unit muscle mass. Skeletal muscle mass of the legs was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and isokinetic strength of the knee extensors was estimated using a Kin-Com dynamometer. Participants were assessed for cognitive functioning using the Wechsler Adult intelligence Scale, Third Edition (WAIS-III) Digit Symbol - Coding module. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) assays were performed on blood samples using a Behring Nephelometer to estimate levels of inflammation. Sex stratified ordinary least squares regression models were utilized to estimate the relationship between muscle quality and cognitive functioning, while examining CrP as a possible mechanism and controlling for potential confounds. Results In the first model a statistically significant positive relationship was found between cognitive functioning and muscle quality for both sex groups. In the second model, CRP was found to have a statistically significant negative association with cognitive functioning for females but not males. Furthermore, the inclusion of CRP in the second model significantly reduced the predictive power of muscle quality for females, as compared to model 1. Conclusion Measures of sarcopenia are associated with lower cognitive functioning in older adults, and for females, this association may be partly due to systemic inflammation. Further research is need to examine the relationship between these frailty-related pathologies, which have substantial health and economic implications.

No abstract

BackgroundWe estimated the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its impact on patient-reported health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in a university-based population aged between 18 and 30 years in Bogotá, Colombia.MethodsThe study had a cross-sectional design. Students, faculty, and staff aged 18-30 years of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia were randomly selected and invited to complete an electronic survey containing the Rome III IBS diagnostic questionnaire and an IBS-specific HR-QOL instrument (IBS-QOL).ResultsA total of 1082 individuals participated in this study. The prevalence of IBS was 24.0% (95% CI 21.3-26.6%). IBS-constipation was the most common subtype (41.9%; 95% CI 35.5-48.4%). The overall IBS-QOL score indicated HR-QOL impairment (72.1/100). IBS-unsubtyped patients had the highest overall HR-QOL (constipation: 70.6; diarrhea: 67.2; mixed: 67.0; unsubtyped: 77.8; P=0.003). IBS non-consulters had higher IBS-QOL “Food Avoidance” scores than IBS consulters (60.3 vs. 45.5; P=0.002).ConclusionIBS is a prevalent disorder in a university-based population aged 18-30 years and has a significant impact on HR-QOL. IBS-unsubtyped subjects had the highest HR-QOL compared to other subtypes. Food avoidance appears to be a key factor in seeking consultation.

IntroductionFew studies have assessed the nature and quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).Methods and FindingsThe aims of this systematic review are to evaluate the characteristics (including the risk of bias assessment) of RCT conducted in LAC according to funding source. A review of RCTs published in 2010 in which the author's affiliation was from LAC was performed in PubMed and LILACS. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. The primary outcomes were risk of bias assessment and funding source. A total of 1,695 references were found in PubMed and LILACS databases, of which 526 were RCTs (N = 73.513 participants). English was the dominant publication language (93%) and most of the RCTs were published in non-LAC journals (84.2%). Only five of the 19 identified countries accounted for nearly 95% of all RCTs conducted in the region (Brazil 70.9%, Mexico 10.1%, Argentina 5.9%, Colombia 3.8%, and Chile 3.4%). Few RCTs covered priority areas related with Millennium Development Goals like maternal health (6.7%) or high priority infectious diseases (3.8%). Regarding children, 3.6% and 0.4% RCT evaluated nutrition and diarrhea interventions respectively but none pneumonia. As a comparison, aesthetic and sport related interventions account for 4.6% of all trials. A random sample of RCTs (n = 358) was assessed for funding source: exclusively public (33.8%); private (e.g. pharmaceutical company) (15.3%); other (e.g. mixed, NGO) (15.1%); no funding (35.8%). Overall assessments for risk of bias showed no statistically significant differences between RCTs and type of funding source. Statistically significant differences favoring private and others type of funding was found when assessing trial registration and conflict of interest reporting.ConclusionFindings of this study could be used to provide more direction for future research to facilitate innovation, improve health outcomes or address priority health problems.

No abstract