Background and Objectives: Flexibility is one of the most important physical fitness parameters in the geriatric population. Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a measure of systemic arterial stiffness. However, data on the association between flexibility and arterial stiffness in the older adult population are limited. Therefore, we aim to investigate this association by using the sit-and-reach test (SRT) and measuring baPWV. Materials and Methods: We reviewed data from the 2014–2015 Korean Institute of Sports Science Fitness Standards Project. Individuals older than 65 years with SRT and baPWV data were included. A generalized linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between flexibility and arterial stiffness. Multiple relevant confounding factors were adjusted. Results: A total of 615 individuals were included in the analysis. The mean age of the male and female participants was 71.44 ± 4.42 and 70.64 ± 4.13 years, respectively. The mean SRT result was 6.58 ± 9.97 and 18.04 ± 7.48 cm, respectively. After multivariable adjustment among the male participants, the higher SRT result tertiles were inversely associated with baPWV (β [95% confidence interval]: 3.11–11.00 cm, −74.45 [−140.93, −8.55]; ≥11.01 cm, −108.17 [−177.65, −38.70]) in comparison with the lowest tertile. The female participants did not show any significant correlation between the SRT result and baPWV. Conclusions: Our results suggest an inverse association between trunk flexibility and systemic arterial stiffness, expressed as the SRT result and baPWV, respectively, in older Korean men but no association in older Korean women. Sex differences might influence the association between flexibility and arterial stiffness in the older adult population.
Background: In cross-sectional and retrospective cohort studies, we examined comparative associations between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and risk of having or developing coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods: Participants who had health examinations between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed. Liver ultrasonography and coronary artery computed tomography were used to diagnose fatty liver and CAC. Participants were divided into a MAFLD and no-MAFLD group and then NAFLD and no-NAFLD groups. Participants were further divided into no fatty liver disease (reference), NAFLD-only, MAFLD-only, and both NAFLD and MAFLD groups. Logistic regression modeling was performed. Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine the risk of incident CAC in participants without CAC at baseline and who had at least two CAC measurements. Results: In cross-sectional analyses, 162 180 participants were included. Compared with either the no-NAFLD or no-MAFLD groups, the NAFLD and MAFLD groups were associated with a higher risk of prevalent CAC (NAFLD: adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.34 [95% CI, 1.29–1.39]; MAFLD: adjusted OR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.39–1.48]). Among the 4 groups, the MAFLD-only group had the strongest association with risk of prevalent CAC (adjusted OR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.52–1.69]). Conversely, the NAFLD-only group was associated with a lower risk of prevalent CAC (adjusted OR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.66–0.87]). In longitudinal analyses, 34 233 participants were included. Compared with either the no-NAFLD or no-MAFLD groups, the NAFLD and MAFLD groups were associated with a higher risk of incident CAC (NAFLD: adjusted hazard ratio, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.43–1.99]; MAFLD: adjusted hazard ratio, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.56–2.13]). Among these 4 groups, the MAFLD-only group had the strongest associations with risk of incident CAC (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.03,[95% CI, 1.62–2.55]). The NAFLD-only group was not independently associated with risk of incident CAC (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.44–1.78]) Conclusions: Both NAFLD and MAFLD are significantly associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of CAC. These associations tended to be stronger for MAFLD.
Background: Previous studies have reported that abnormal glucose metabolism is associated with poor cancer outcomes. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is an important indicator of glucose metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nondiabetic HbA1c levels and cancer-related mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of Koreans who attended an annual or biennial health checkup program. The study group was categorized based on the quintile of HbA1c level (Q1, 3.0–5.1%; Q2, 5.2–5.3%; Q3, 5.4%; Q4, 5.5–5.6%, Q5, 5.7–6.4%). Cancer-related mortality was determined using the mortality data from the Korea National Statistical Office. Participants with an established diagnosis of diabetes or cancer were excluded. Cancer-related mortality was assessed depending on each HbA1c level with adjustment for factors that could influence mortality. Results: A total of 589,457 participants were included in this study. During a median follow-up duration of 6.99 years, 1,712 cancer-related deaths were reported. The risk of cancer-related mortality was significantly higher in the Q5 group (hazard ratio (HR) 1.23, range 1.02–1.47 in model 1; HR 1.25, range 1.04–1.50 in model 2). HbA1c levels were linearly associated with cancer-related deaths (Ptrend = 0.021 in model 1; 0.013 in model 2). HbA1c level and colorectal, stomach, and lung cancer mortality exhibited a positive relationship, whereas liver cancer-related mortality showed an inverse relationship with HbA1c level (Ptrend = 0.001). Conclusions: Our study showed that abnormal glucose metabolism is significantly associated with cancer-related mortality, and its relationship varies with each type of cancer.
Stress-induced cardiomyopathy has become a more recognized and reported entity. It can be caused by emotional or physical stress, which causes excessive catecholamine release. Typically, the clinical course is benign with conservative treatment being effective. However, stress-induced cardiomyopathy can be fatal. A 41-year-old female presented with cardiogenic shock followed by sudden back pain. Initial echocardiographic finding showed severely decreased ejection fraction with akinesia at all mid-to-apical walls with relatively preserved basal wall contractility. The coronary artery was intact on coronary angiography. Cardiac resuscitation and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation was needed to manage the cardiogenic shock. Recovery was complete after 2 weeks.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.