The interplay between inflammation, physical activity and metabolic syndrome in a remote male geriatric community in Southern Taiwan: the Tianliao Old People (TOP) study 03

Abstract

BackgroundBoth physical activity and inflammation are important in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our study aim is to explore their associations in an elderly male (≥ 65 years old) cohort.MethodsWe enrolled 309 elderly male residents (mean age: 74.4 ± 6.0 years) in a remote southern Taiwan community. The physical activity was recorded by a standard questionnaire. A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level > 3.0 mg/L indicated a high inflammatory status.ResultsThe total prevalence rate of MetS was 27.8% in this male geriatric cohort. Median hsCRP levels were significantly higher in the MetS group (1.60 ± 0.7 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3 mg/L, p < 0.01), and the risk of elevated hsCRP increased with escalating MetS components (p for trend < 0.001). The non-MetS group had higher amount of median weekly physical activity (183.1 ± 19.0 vs. 173.5 ± 10.6 MET-hr/week, p = 0.029), which was also higher among those with lower hsCRP levels (186.1 ± 14.1 vs. 167.8 ± 38.5 MET-hr/week, p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis showed that higher body mass index (ORs: 1.527, 95% CI: 1.319-1.768, p < 0.01) insulin (OR: 1.128, 95% CI: 1.045-1.218, p < 0.01) and physical activity (ORs: 0.997, 95% IC: 0.994-0.999, p < 0.05) were independent predictors of MetS, but not hsCRP level (p > 0.05).ConclusionsReduced physical activity was one major pathophysiological MetS factor in our Asian geriatric participants.

Reduced Flexibility Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Community-Dwelling Elders

“…In the present study, flexibility, quantified by the ability of participants to reach toward their toes while in a sitting position, encompassed the bendability of lumbar spine, hip joint, and hamstrings [ 26 , 27 ]. The inverse association between flexibility and metabolic syndrome has never been reported in previous literature investigating similar populations, most of which focused on muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance [ 11 , 12 ]. To clarify which component of metabolic syndrome contributed most to lower body flexibility, a correlation analysis was performed between the variables of flexibility and waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood plasma, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides.…”

“…The sampling ratio of the metabolic syndrome group to the reference group was 0.5. Under the alpha value of 0.05 and the beta value of 0.2, the sample size was estimated to be 576 in total [ 11 , 12 ].…”

“…Inconsistencies may be due to different sample sizes, variability in the tools used to measure physical fitness, and the use/non-use of multivariable analysis to adjust the confounders. To the best of our knowledge, few studies have investigated the relationship between metabolic syndrome and health-related physical fitness in urban senior citizens, and specifically the influence of body composition [ 11 , 12 ]. We hypothesized that metabolic syndrome was associated a certain component of health-related physical fitness in community-dwelling elders.…”

Characterization of Aging-Associated Cardiac Diastolic Dysfunction

“…Second, lacking sensitive circulating cardiac markers (e.g., troponin and brain natriuretic peptide), validating these formulas might underestimate overestimate asymptomatic heart failure [32], [33]. However, most of our patients were relatively healthy, according to the TOP study questionnaires [25]. Moreover, lifestyle-associated information was recorded for patients recruited from the TOP study but not for those given the health examination.…”

Cyclophilin A is Associated with Peripheral Artery Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease in Geriatrics: The Tianliao Old People (TOP) Study

“…This community-based study was conducted in July 2012, after the Tianliao Old People (TOP) study 18 19 20 21 . Tianliao District is a rural and aging community in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City.…”