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Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology

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A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology & Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 29214

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Dr. Joshua D. Brown

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Guest Editor

Center for Drug Evaluation & Safety, Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
Interests: pharmacoepidemiology; healthy aging; drug safety; comparative effectiveness research

Dr. Robert T. Mankowski

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Guest Editor

Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Interests: aging translational research; exercise training; cardiovascular and physical dysfunction; clinical trials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As predicted, the population of older adults will double by 2050. Nowadays, improving health and quality of life in older age (healthspan) has become a higher priority than simply extending the length of life (lifespan). Improving healthspan and reducing age-related comorbidities will reduce the burden on the healthcare system. However, improving healthspan needs a multi-dimensional approach spanning from basic discovery to health policy change. During the last decades, we have substantially improved our understanding of the basic biology of aging and the mechanisms of age-related comorbidities such as the influence of low-grade chronic inflammation and oxidative stress; however, there are still unexplored areas that may contribute to chronic conditions in older age, such as the cross-talk between microbial environments and other organs. The majority of age-related changes may be modifiable or reversible by treatments with drugs, nutraceuticals, and targeted lifestyle interventions such as exercise and diet. Therefore, we need translational approaches to bring discovery into clinical practice and implementation into the community in order to prevent age-related comorbidities and premature death, with the goal of improving the healthspan. For this Special Issue on “Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics, and Gerontology”, we are inviting a wide range of relevant research works spanning from basic sciences to population-level analyses, including original research papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses covering the following topics, among others:

Inter-organ communication such as studies on the interactions between the microbiome and other organs in normal aging or aging-related conditions.
Observational studies or clinical trials on the use of pharmacological, nutraceutical, lifestyle, or other interventions to slow the aging process or improve healthy aging and quality of life in older adults.
Use of data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to generate new evidence in translational aging research.
Health economic or policy evaluations regarding aging including the financing of healthcare systems, cost of medications, and cost–effectiveness of interventions to improve the aging process.

Dr. Joshua D. Brown
Dr. Robert T. Mankowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Aging
Translational Research
Biology of Aging
Clinical Trials
Big Data
Artificial Intelligence
Health Economics

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 2334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longer Leukocytes Telomere Length Predicts a Significant Survival Advantage in the Elderly TRELONG Cohort, with Short Physical Performance Battery Score and Years of Education as Main Determinants for Telomere Elongation

by Sofia Pavanello, Manuela Campisi, Alberto Grassi, Giuseppe Mastrangelo, Elisabetta Durante, Arianna Veronesi and Maurizio Gallucci

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(16), 3700; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163700 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2438

Abstract

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) represents a key integrating component of the cumulative effects of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. A question, however, remains on whether LTL can be considered predictive for a longer and healthier life. Within the elderly prospective TRELONG cohort (n = 612), we aimed to investigate LTL as a predictor of longevity and identify the main determinants of LTL among many different factors (physiological and lifestyle characteristics, physical performance and frailty measures, chronic diseases, biochemical measurements and apolipoprotein E genotyping). We found an ever-increasing relationship between LTL quartiles and survival. Hazard ratio analysis showed that for each unit increase in LTL and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores, the mortality risk was reduced by 22.41% and 8.78%, respectively. Conversely, male gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and age threatened survival, with mortality risk growing by 74.99%, 16.57% and 8.5%, respectively. Determinants of LTL elongation were SPPB scores (OR = 1.1542; p = 0.0066) and years of education (OR = 1.0958; p = 0.0065), while male gender (OR = 0.4388; p = 0.0143) and increased Disease Count Index (OR = 0.6912; p = 0.0066) were determinants of LTL attrition. Longer LTL predicts a significant survival advantage in elderly people. By identifying determinants of LTL elongation, we provided additional knowledge that could offer a potential translation into prevention strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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11 pages, 6612 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Inpatient and Outpatient Pneumonia on Mobility Disability, Gait Speed, and Physical Activity in Older Adults

by Joshua Brown, Reiko Sato and John E. Morley

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(6), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10061236 - 16 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2026

Abstract

Pathophysiological changes caused by pneumonia may influence physical functioning in older adults. This study was a secondary analysis of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study. The LIFE Study included 1635 individuals over an average follow-up of 2.6 years at eight clinical sites during 2010–2013. Adults ≥70 years-old with mobility limitations (Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤9) were randomized to a physical activity (exercise) intervention or health education control arm. This analysis evaluated the association between pneumonia events and major mobility disability (MMD), gait speed, and physical activity levels. Pneumonia events, classified as inpatient or outpatient, were assessed by self-report during longitudinal follow-up. MMD was measured by the inability to complete a 400-m walk test, or other proxies, as a binary outcome and separately analyzed as “short-term” and “long-term” MMD. Short-term MMD was defined as MMD occurring in the assessment period immediately following (between 1-day to 6-months after) a pneumonia event and long-term was in the following assessment period (6 to 12 months after the event). Short- and long-term gait speed was similarly recorded during the walk test in meters per second (m/s) and measured on a linear scale. Physical activity levels were captured via accelerometry and shown visually. Mixed-effects repeated measures regression adjusted for intervention assignment, baseline demographics, comorbid conditions, and frailty. Among the 1635 participants, n = 174 (10.7%) had a pneumonia event of which 80 (46% of events) were hospitalized. Those with pneumonia during follow-up had higher baseline medication use, prior hospitalizations, and higher prevalence of lung disorders but similar baseline functioning. Pneumonia hospitalization was associated with a 4-fold increase [OR = 4.1 (3.2–5.0)] and outpatient events were associated with a 2-fold increase [OR = 2.6 (2.1–3.1)] in the odds of short-term MMD. Pneumonia hospitalizations, but not outpatient events, were associated with a nearly 10% decrement in short-term gait speed. Pneumonia events were not associated with either long-term MMD or gait speed outcomes. Physical activity levels decreased from baseline immediately following the pneumonia episode (10–30% reductions) and returned to baseline after 6 months. These results emphasize the importance of managing pneumonia risk factors to prevent disease in order to maintain physical independence and activity in older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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11 pages, 848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of β-Lactolin on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow within the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex during Working Memory Task in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Yasuhisa Ano, Masahiro Kita, Keiko Kobayashi, Takashi Koikeda and Ryuta Kawashima

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(3), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10030480 - 28 Jan 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2633

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have reported that consumption of dairy products rich in β-lactolin is beneficial for cognitive decline among elderly individuals. Although previous studies have shown that β-lactolin supplementation improves memory function and attention in healthy adults, the mechanism through which β-lactolin affects human brain function has yet to be elucidated. This placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study therefore examined the effects of β-lactolin on human regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. A total of 114 healthy participants aged between 50 and 75 years with relatively low cognition were randomly allocated into the β-lactolin or placebo groups (n = 57 for both groups) and received supplementation for 6 weeks. After the 6 weeks of supplementation, total hemoglobin during cognitive tasks (Kraepelin and 2-back tasks) was measured using two-channel NIRS to determine rCBF. Accordingly, the β-lactolin group had significantly higher changes in total hemoglobin at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) area measured using the left-side channel during the 2-back tasks (p = 0.027) compared to the placebo group. The present study suggests that β-lactolin supplementation increases rCBF and DLPFC activity during working memory tasks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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20 pages, 383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adolescent Sport Participation and Age at Menarche in Relation to Midlife Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Fitness, and Physical Activity

by Suvi Ravi, Urho M. Kujala, Tuija H. Tammelin, Mirja Hirvensalo, Vuokko Kovanen, Maarit Valtonen, Benjamin Waller, Pauliina Aukee, Sarianna Sipilä and Eija K. Laakkonen

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(12), 3797; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9123797 - 24 Nov 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4074

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the associations of competitive sport participation in adolescence and age at menarche (AAM) with body composition, femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), physical performance, and physical activity (PA) in middle-aged women. 1098 women aged 47–55 years formed the sample of this retrospective study. Participants self-reported their PA level at age 13–16 years and AAM. The protocol also included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, physical performance tests, and accelerometer-measured PA. Participants were divided into three groups according to their PA level at the age of 13–16 (no exercise, regular PA, and competitive sport) and according to their AAM (≤12, 13, and ≥14 years). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, participation in competitive sport at age 13–16 was associated with higher midlife lean mass and BMD, and better physical performance compared to groups with no exercise or regular PA. Individuals with AAM ≥ 14 years had lower midlife BMI and fat mass than participants in the other AAM groups and pre- and perimenopausal women with AAM ≥ 14 years had lower BMD than those with AAM ≤ 12. The findings indicate that participation in competitive sport in adolescence is associated with healthier body composition, higher BMD, and better physical performance in midlife, but BMD might be impaired if menarche occurs late. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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13 pages, 2013 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between a Deficit Accumulation Frailty Index and Mobility Outcomes in Older Adults: Secondary Analysis of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study

by Joshua D. Brown, Golnoosh Alipour-Haris, Marco Pahor and Todd M. Manini

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(11), 3757; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9113757 - 22 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2298

Abstract

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome represented by susceptibility to precipitating health events and reduced functional reserve. Frailty can be difficult to measure in clinical practice and research. One approach to approximate frailty is based on a deficit accumulation approach, which assesses a larger number of less specific measures such as the presence of comorbidities, physical or cognitive assessments, and lab tests, and summarizes these as a frailty index. The objective of this study was to develop such an index using the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study and evaluate the validity of the frailty measure derived based on baseline information via its association with the primary outcomes of the trial, namely major mobility disability (MMD) and persistent MMD (pMMD). Further, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the physical activity intervention among participants based on their baseline frailty score. Subjects in the LIFE Study were evaluated at baseline for demographics, clinical history, and a battery of physical and cognitive functioning assessments. In total, 75 possible deficits were scored either as present (yes/no) or based on each score’s quintiles for score-based assessments. The frailty index was measured as the total sum of deficits divided by the total number of possible deficits on a continuous scale between 0 and 100 (i.e., percent of deficits present). The frailty index was further divided into quintiles for comparison. A proportional hazards model was estimated for the MMD outcome controlling for other baseline information. A data driven approach was also used to determine relevant cut-offs in the frailty index where the trial intervention appeared to be modified. Among 1635 trial participants, the mean frailty index was 30.4 ± 6.6 and normally distributed. Over 2.5 years of average follow-up, 14.6%, 16.5%, 18.6%, 22.6%, and 27.6% of participants experienced MMD in quintiles 1–5, respectively. Each 1-unit increase in the frailty index increased the hazard of MMD by 4% (2–5%), and there was a nearly 2-fold increase in MMD between the highest and lowest frailty quintiles. Using log-rank criteria, a cut-point at the median was identified. Further, iterations tested for a frailty cut-off and indicated a subgroup beyond the 85th percentile wherein the physical activity intervention appeared to be no longer be effective. This internally derived deficit accumulation frailty index was uniquely able to identify individuals at higher risk of MMD and pMMD and showed that along the spectrum of frailty, the physical activity intervention remained effective for the majority of participants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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18 pages, 2241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Outcomes Associated with Adherence to Antidepressant Use during Acute and Continuation Phases of Depression Treatment among Older Adults with Dementia and Major Depressive Disorder

by Sandipan Bhattacharjee, Suniya Naeem, Shannon M. Knapp, Jeannie K. Lee, Asad E. Patanwala, Nina Vadiei, Daniel C. Malone, Wei-Hsuan Lo-Ciganic and William J Burke

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(10), 3358; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9103358 - 20 Oct 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

Objectives: To examine health outcomes associated with adherence to Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) antidepressant medication management (AMM) during acute and continuation phases of depression treatment among older adults with dementia and major depressive disorder (MDD). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Medicare 5% sample data (2011–2013). Participants: Older adults (aged 65 years or older) with dementia and MDD. Measurements: The first antidepressant prescription claim from 1 May 2011 through 30 April 2012 was considered the index prescription start date (IPSD). Adherence during acute- and continuation-phase AMM was based on HEDIS guidelines. Study outcomes included all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalization, and falls/factures (with mortality being the competing event for hospitalization and falls/fractures) during follow-up from end of acute-/continuation-phase AMM adherence. Due to the proportionality assumption violation of Cox models, fully non-parametric approaches (Kaplan–Meier and modified Gray’s test) were used for time-to-event analysis adjusting for the inverse probability of treatment weights. Results: Final study samples consisted of 4330 (adherent (N) = 3114 (71.92%)) and 3941 (adherent (N) = 2407 (61.08%)) older adults with dementia and MDD during acute- and continuation-phase treatments, respectively. No significant difference (p > 0.05) between adherent and non-adherent groups was observed for all-cause mortality and falls/fractures in both the acute and continuation phases. There was a significant difference in time to all-cause hospitalization during acute-phase treatment (p = 0.018), with median times of 530 (95% CI: 499–587) and 425 (95% CI: 364–492) days for adherent and non-adherent groups, respectively. Conclusions: Acute-phase adherence to HEDIS AMM was associated with reductions in all-cause hospitalization risk among older adults with dementia and MDD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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12 pages, 599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Anticholinergic Medication Burden on Mobility and Falls in the Lifestyle Interventions for Elders (LIFE) Study

by Patrick Squires, Marco Pahor, Todd M. Manini, Scott Vouri and Joshua D. Brown

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(9), 2989; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9092989 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2631

Abstract

Anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) may be associated with detrimental effects on mobility and physical independence in older adults. We evaluated the incidence of major mobility disability (MMD), persistent major mobility disability (PMMD), and injurious falls among participants within the Lifestyle Interventions for Elders (LIFE) trial according to varied anticholinergic burden levels. Participants aged 70–89 years were randomized to a physical activity (PA) or successful aging (SA) intervention and evaluated by ACB medication use as a summed score of a previously developed ACB scale. Confounders included demographic characteristics, physical function, cognitive function, and fall history. Average participant follow-up was 2.6 years and included outcome assessment for MMD, PMMD, and injurious falls every six months. Adjusted proportional hazards models evaluated the independent effects of ACB scores as well as interaction effects with the intervention. Of the 1635 participants, 986 (60%) used ≥1 anticholinergic medication. Compared to those with no burden, participants with an ACB score of 1 demonstrated increased MMD (HR = 1.42 [1.13–1.78]), PMMD (HR = 1.53 [1.12–2.09]), and injurious falls (HR = 1.60 [1.10–2.32]). Results similar in magnitude were observed for all other ACB levels versus the no burden group. Stepwise dose–response comparisons between ACB groupings did not demonstrate significant differences in outcomes. Stratification by PA or SA interventions demonstrated few differences from the combined overall trial results. Compared to those not taking anticholinergic medications, participants taking anticholinergic medications generally demonstrated increased risk of MMD, PMMD, and injurious falls. Total anticholinergic burden was not associated with a stepwise dose–response relationship in mobility disability and may lack sensitivity to capture varied responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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10 pages, 942 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trajectories of Short Physical Performance Battery Are Strongly Associated with Future Major Mobility Disability: Results from the LIFE Study

by Joshua D. Brown, Wei-Hsuan Lo-Ciganic, Hui Shao, Marco Pahor and Todd M. Manini

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(8), 2332; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082332 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2729

Abstract

Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) assessment is a widely used measure of lower extremity function, strength, and balance. In the Lifestyles Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study, baseline SPPB and changes throughout the trial were strongly associated with major mobility disability (MMD). This study further investigated this association by identifying trajectories of SPPB and evaluating the predictive validity of SPPB trajectories for future MMD. Participants (n = 1635) aged 70–89 years were randomized to a physical activity or health education intervention and assessed every 6 months for MMD. We used group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) to identify trajectories of a binary outcome for a decrease from baseline SPPB of ≥1. Multinomial logistic regression explored baseline factors associated with group membership. Survival analyses evaluated the association between trajectories with MMD. The GBTM identified a 3-group model which included a “No Decline” group (46.0%), “Late Decline” group (27.7%), and an “Early Decline” group (26.3%). Adjusting for all other baseline characteristics, group assignment during the previous follow-up visit was strongly associated with MMD at the subsequent period. Comparisons between groups showed a 2-to-3-fold increase in MMD comparing the “Late” to “No” decline group and a 4-to-5-fold increase in MMD comparing the “Early” to “No” decline group. Group membership and impact on MMD was not different between intervention arms. Group-based trajectories of SPPB scores identified distinct subgroups in LIFE Study participants. Using these group assignments in outcome models were highly associated with MMD. GBTMs have potential to identify and improve prediction of aging-related decline to better design and identify patients for interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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26 pages, 816 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effect of Physical Activity, Smoking, and Sleep on Telomere Length: A Systematic Review of Observational and Intervention Studies

by Rocío Barragán, Carolina Ortega-Azorín, Jose V. Sorlí, Eva M. Asensio, Oscar Coltell, Marie-Pierre St-Onge, Olga Portolés and Dolores Corella

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11010076 - 24 Dec 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4558

Abstract

Aging is a risk factor for several pathologies, restricting one’s health span, and promoting chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases), as well as cancer. Telomeres are regions of repetitive DNA located at chromosomal ends. Telomere length has been inversely associated with chronological age and has been considered, for a long time, a good biomarker of aging. Several lifestyle factors have been linked with telomere shortening or maintenance. However, the consistency of results is hampered by some methodological issues, including study design, sample size, measurement approaches, and population characteristics, among others. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the current literature on the effects of three relevant lifestyle factors on telomere length in human adults: physical activity, smoking, and sleep. We conducted a qualitative systematic review of observational and intervention studies using the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The systematic literature search covered articles published in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (from 2010 to 2020). A total of 1400 studies were identified; 83 were included after quality control. Although fewer sedentary activities, optimal sleep habits, and non- or ex-smoker status have been associated with less telomere shortening, several methodological issues were detected, including the need for more targeted interventions and standardized protocols to better understand how physical activity and sleep can impact telomere length and aging. We discuss the main findings and current limitations to gain more insights into the influence of these lifestyle factors on the healthy aging process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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9 pages, 899 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Association between Pneumonia, Fracture, Stroke, Heart Attack and Other Hospitalizations with Changes in Mobility Disability and Gait Speed in Older Adults

by Joshua D. Brown, Reiko Sato and John E. Morley

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(17), 3802; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173802 - 25 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1713

Abstract

Pathophysiological changes after acute hospitalizations may influence physical functioning in older adults, which can lead to disability and loss of independence. This study evaluated the association between pneumonia, fracture, heart attack, stroke, and other hospitalizations with major mobility disability (MMD) and gait speed. This was a secondary analysis of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study, which was conducted across eight sites during 2010–2013 with longitudinal follow-up for 1635 individuals over an average of 2.6 years. Participants included adults ≥70 years old with pre-existing mobility limitations randomized to a physical activity intervention or a health education control arm. Hospitalizations were recorded via self-report and adjudicated by medical reviewers. MMD was measured by the inability to complete a 400 m walk test, or other proxies, as a binary outcome. Gait speed was recorded during the walk test in meters per second (m/s) and measured on a linear scale. Mixed-effects repeated measures regression adjusted for baseline demographics, comorbid conditions, and frailty. Among the 1635 participants, there were 1458 hospitalizations, which included 80 (5.5% of all hospitalizations) cases of pneumonia, 92 (6.3%) hospitalized fractures, 87 (6.0%) heart attacks, and 61 (4.2%) strokes. In the short-term measurement period immediately following hospitalization (1 day to 6 months), stroke (OR = 3.98 (3.41–4.54)) had the strongest association with MMD followed by fracture (OR = 3.03 (2.54–3.52)), pneumonia (OR = 2.76 (2.23–3.30)), and heart attack (OR = 2.03 (1.52–2.53)). Associations with long-term (6–12 months after) MMD were decreased or not significant for all causes. Pneumonia, fracture, stroke, and other hospitalizations were associated with short-term relative gait speed changes between −4.8% up to −19.5%, and only fracture was associated with long-term changes. Hospitalizations for pneumonia, heart attack, stroke, and fractures were associated with short-term decreases in mobility in older adults. Older adults may be at risk for decreased mobility and disability following acute hospitalizations, with the magnitude determined by the cause of the precipitating event. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Research in Aging, Geriatrics and Gerontology)

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