scholarly journals Is Engagement in Intellectual and Social Leisure Activities Protective Against Dementia Risk? Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Pamela Almeida-Meza ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Dorina Cadar
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Subdistribution Hazard ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Dementia Incidence ◽  
Social Leisure ◽  
Married Individuals ◽  
English Longitudinal Study

Background: Studies have suggested that mentally stimulating activities and socially engaged lifestyles may reduce dementia risk; however, it is unclear which activities are more beneficial. Objective: We investigated intellectual and social leisure activities in relation to dementia incidence and explored the modifying role of sex and marital status in these associations. Methods: The sample was comprised of 8,030 participants aged 50+ from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, who joined at wave 1 (2002-2003), or waves 3 (2006-2007), or 4 (2008-2009). The end of the study period was wave 8 (2016-2017). Subdistribution hazard models investigated the role of leisure activities grouped into intellectual and social domains in relation to dementia while accounting for the risk of death. Subsequent analyses were conducted with individual leisure activities. Results: During the study period of up to 15 years, 412 participants developed dementia, and 2,192 died. We found that increased engagement in the intellectual activities’ domain was associated with a decreased dementia incidence (SHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76–0.96, p = 0.007), independent of the risk of death in married individuals, but not in those who were single, divorced, or widowed. Individual analyses for each leisure activity showed independent associations for reading newspapers in females (SHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49–0.84, p = 0.001), mobile phone usage in males (SHR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45–0.84, p = 0.002), and having hobbies for married individuals (SHR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51–0.95, p = 0.02). Conclusion: We found that intellectual leisure activities contribute to lower dementia risk in a representative population of English adults, suggesting intervention opportunities.

scholarly journals MARKERS OF COGNITIVE RESERVE AND DEMENTIA INCIDENCE IN THE ENGLISH LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF AGEING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S620-S620
Author(s):  
Pamela Almeida-Meza ◽  
Pamela Almeida-Meza ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Dorina Cadar
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Composite Measure ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Dementia Incidence ◽  
English Population ◽  
English Longitudinal Study

Abstract We investigated a multi-faceted index of cognitive reserve (CR), in relation to dementia incidence over 15 years follow-up in a representative sample of the English population. Data were 12,293 participants aged 50+ from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, dementia-free at baseline. CR was derived as a composite measure of education, occupation and leisure activities using a standardised questionnaire. From the overall sample, 603 participants developed dementia. Higher CR levels were associated with lower dementia risk (medium CR: HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59-0.88, p=0.002 and high CR: HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.90, p=0.005) compared with lowest levels. These associations were independent of sex, marital status, wealth, smoking, depressive symptoms and poor physical health. Further individual analyses of CR sub-components showed that leisure activities (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.91, p=0.007) were linked with reduced dementia risk, contributing to a higher CR and increased overall mental resilience.

Lowering dementia risk and slowing progression of disease: the role of cognitive reserve and cognitive training

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey F. Scherrer ◽  
John E. Morley
Keyword(s):  
Educational Level ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Dementia Incidence ◽  
Early Dementia ◽  
Progression Of Disease

Summary Almeida-Meza et al found an inverse correlation between cognitive reserve (associated with educational level, complexity of occupations and leisure activities) and dementia incidence. We suggest clarifying studies using their data-set and consider what can be done to modify socioeconomic inequalities that affect cognitive reserve or to slow early dementia.

scholarly journals Markers of cognitive reserve and dementia incidence in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Almeida-Meza ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Dorina Cadar
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Dementia Incidence ◽  
English Longitudinal Study

Background In the current climate of an ageing population, it is imperative to identify preventive measures for dementia. Aims We implemented a multifaceted index of cognitive reserve markers and investigated dementia incidence over 15 years of follow-up in a representative sample of the English population. Method Data were 12 280 participants aged ≥50 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, free from dementia at their baseline assessments during wave 1 (2002–2003), 3 (2006–2007) or 4 (2008–2009), and followed up until wave 8 (2016–2017). The Cognitive Reserve Index was constructed as a composite measure of education, occupation and leisure activities, using a standardised questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios of dementia in relation to cognitive reserve levels (low, medium and high) and its components (education, occupation and leisure activities). Results During the follow-up period, 602 participants aged 56–99 years developed dementia. Higher levels of cognitive reserve (hazard ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.48–0.89, P = 0.008) were associated with a lower risk of dementia. An individual analysis of its components showed that higher levels of education (hazard ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.36–0.88, P = 0.012), occupation (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.56–0.91, P = 0.008) and leisure activities (hazard ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.56–0.99, P = 0.047) were predictive of a reduced dementia risk, with the first two components particularly protective in younger participants (<85 years). Conclusions This study showed a reduced risk of dementia for individuals with a higher level of cognitive reserve, represented by higher education, complex occupations and multifaceted level of leisure activities.

scholarly journals Subjective wellbeing as a determinant of glycated hemoglobin in older adults: longitudinal findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 1820-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Poole ◽  
Ruth A. Hackett ◽  
Laura Panagi ◽  
Andrew Steptoe
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Glycated Hemoglobin ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Subclinical Disease ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
English Longitudinal Study

AbstractBackgroundPrevious research has shown an association between subjective wellbeing and incident diabetes. Less is known about the role of wellbeing for subclinical disease trajectories as captured via glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). We aimed to explore the association between subjective wellbeing and future HbA1c levels, and the role of sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical factors in this association.MethodsWe used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing for this study (N = 2161). Subjective wellbeing (CASP-19) was measured at wave 2 and HbA1c was measured 8 years later at wave 6. Participants were free from diabetes at baseline. We conducted a series of analyses to examine the extent to which the association was accounted for by a range of sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical factors in linear regression models.ResultsModels showed that subjective wellbeing (CASP-19 total score) was inversely associated with HbA1c 8 years later after controlling for depressive symptoms, age, sex, and baseline HbA1c (B = −0.035, 95% CI −0.060 to –0.011, p = 0.005). Inclusion of sociodemographic variables and behavioral factors in models accounted for a large proportion (17.0% and 24.5%, respectively) of the relationship between wellbeing and later HbA1c; clinical risk factors explained a smaller proportion of the relationship (3.4%).ConclusionsPoorer subjective wellbeing is associated with greater HbA1c over 8 years of follow-up and this relationship can in part be explained by sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical factors among older adults.

scholarly journals Loneliness, Social Integration, and Incident Dementia Over 6 Years: Prospective Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson ◽  
Martin Orrell ◽  
Eleonora d’Orsi ◽  
Eef Hogervorst ◽  
Andrew Steptoe
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Reverse Causality ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Incident Dementia ◽  
English Longitudinal Study

Abstract Objectives Social relationships are important for the maintenance of cognitive function at older ages, with both objective features of social networks and perceived social connections (loneliness) being relevant. There is limited evidence about how different aspects of social experience predict diagnosed dementia. Methods The sample comprised 6,677 dementia-free individuals at baseline (2004) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Baseline information on loneliness, number of close relationships, marital status, and social isolation (contact with family and friends and participation in organizations) was analyzed in relation to incident dementia over an average 6.25 years using Cox regression, controlling for potential confounding factors. Results Two hundred twenty participants developed dementia during follow-up. In multivariable analyses, dementia risk was positively related to greater loneliness (hazard ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.80, p = .008), and inversely associated with number of close relationships (p &lt; .001) and being married (p = .018). Sensitivity analyses testing for reverse causality and different criteria for diagnosing dementia confirmed the robustness of these findings. There was no association with social isolation. Discussion Dementia risk is associated with loneliness and having fewer close relationships in later life. The underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, but efforts to enhance older peoples’ relationship quality may be relevant to dementia risk.

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