Changes in Brain-Health Related Modifiable Risk Factors in Older Adults After One Year of COVID-19-Restrictions

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Philip Scheltens¹  Wiesje M. van der Flier²  Marissa D. Zwan⁴  Lisa Waterink⁴  Els D. Bakker⁴  Sebastian Köhler⁵  Kay Deckers⁵  Niels D. Prins⁶  Leonie N. C. Visser⁷  Francesca Mangialasche⁸  Sietske A. M. Sikkes⁹  Miia Kivipelto^1,11 

[1] 0Life Sciences Partners Dementia Fund, Amsterdam, Netherlands;1Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands;Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom;Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands;Alzheimer Center Limburg, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands;Brain Research Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands;Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands;Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands;Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland;Medical Unit Aging, Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden;

关键词: COVID-19;    lifestyle;    mental health;    aging;    risk factors;    cognitive decline;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyt.2022.877460

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has major influence on lifestyle and mental health, which might affect brain-health and increase the risk of cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. We aimed to describe changes in modifiable risk factors related to brain-health in older adults after one year of COVID-19 restrictions.MethodsAn online survey was disseminated between February and March 2021 to 17,773 registrants of the Dutch Brain Research Registry, aged ≥50, without a self-reported diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Participants were asked to report potential changes in behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic, in eight domains related to brain health: physical activity, sleep, feeling of memory decline, perceived stress, feeling of loneliness, diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking. We used negative binomial regression analyses to relate (socio)demographics, subjective memory complaints and COVID-19 related aspects (fear of, or current/past COVID-19 infection) to the number of reported detrimental and beneficial changes as dependent variable.Results3,943 participants (66 ± 8 years old; 76% female; 71% highly educated) completed the survey. After one year of COVID-19-restrictions, 74% reported at least one detrimental lifestyle change unfavorable for their brain health, most frequently reported were feelings of loneliness, sleep problems, and less physical activity. 60% of participants reported at least one beneficial change, which were most often more physical activity, healthier dietary habits, and less alcohol consumption. Individuals who are younger [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98–0.99], female (1.20, 1.11–1.30), living alone (1.20, 1.11–1.28) and in urban environments (1.18, 1.08–1.29), who are less satisfied with their income (1.38, 1.17–1.62), experiencing subjective memory complaints (1.40, 1.28–1.52) and those with a past or current (1.19, 1.06–1.34) or fear of a COVID-19 infection (1.33, 1.25–1.42) reported higher numbers of detrimental changes.DiscussionThe COVID-19 pandemic has influenced lifestyle in both positive and negative ways. We identified (socio)demographic factors associated with more detrimental changes in modifiable risk factors related to brain health, suggesting that some individuals are more vulnerable for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings provide an opportunity for targeted prevention and education to promote a healthy lifestyle during and after the pandemic.

【 授权许可】

Unknown