Research in Progress on Integrating Health and Environmental Data in Epidemiological Studies
LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases

Abstract (Expand)

Epidemiological studies analyze and monitor the health state of a population. They typically use different methods and techniques to capture and to integrate data of interest before they can be analyzed. … As new technologies and, thus, devices are available for data capturing, such as wearables, new requirements arise for current data integration approaches. In this paper, we review current techniques and approaches as well as new trends in data capturing and the resulting requirement for its integration.

Authors: T. Kirsten, J. Bumberger, G. Ivanova, P. Dietrich, C. Engel, M. Loeffler, W. Kiess

Date Published: 2017

Publication Type: InBook

Normative values of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), derived from a large German sample.
LIFE Adult

Abstract (Expand)

PURPOSE: Daytime sleepiness is associated with several medical problems. The aim of this paper is to provide normative values for one of the most often used questionnaires measuring daytime sleepiness, … the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). METHODS: A large sample of 9711 people from the German general population took part in this study. In addition to the ESS, several other questionnaires were used, and sociodemographic and behavioral factors were recorded. RESULTS: Normative values for the ESS are given. According to the generally accepted criterion ESS > 10, 23 % of the sample showed excessive daytime sleepiness. Males reported significantly more daytime sleepiness than females (effect size d = 0.19). In the age range of 40-80 years, a continuous decline of daytime sleepiness was observed. Psychometric properties of the ESS were good. Alcohol intake and nicotine consumption were marginally associated with daytime sleepiness, and obese people reported significantly more sleepiness than people of normal weight (OR = 1.39). CONCLUSIONS: The normative tables allow clinicians and researchers to assess the degree of their patients' daytime sleepiness, especially in the upper range of scores.

Authors: C. Sander, U. Hegerl, K. Wirkner, N. Walter, R. D. Kocalevent, K. Petrowski, H. Glaesmer, A. Hinz

Date Published: 29th May 2016

Publication Type: Journal article

Psychometric evaluation of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener GAD-7, based on a large German general population sample.
LIFE Adult

Abstract (Expand)

BACKGROUND: The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scales GAD-7 and GAD-2 are instruments for the assessment of anxiety. The aims of this study are to test psychometric properties of these questionnaires, … to provide normative values, and to investigate associations with sociodemographic factors, quality of life, psychological variables, and behavioral factors. METHODS: A German community sample (n=9721) with an age range of 18-80 years was surveyed using the GAD-7 and several other questionnaires. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the unidimensionality and measurement invariance of the GAD-7 across age and gender. Females were more anxious than males (mean scores: M=4.07 vs. M=3.01; effect size: d=0.33). There was no linear age trend. A total of 5.9% fulfilled the cut-off criterion of 10 and above. Anxiety was correlated with low quality of life, fatigue, low habitual optimism, physical complaints, sleep problems, low life satisfaction, low social support, low education, unemployment, and low income. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were also associated with heightened anxiety, especially in women. When comparing the GAD-7 (7 items) with the ultra-short GAD-2 (2 items), the GAD-7 instrument was superior to the GAD-2 regarding several psychometric criteria. LIMITATIONS: The response rate (33%) was low. Because of the cross-sectional character of the study, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. A further limitation is the lack of a gold standard for diagnosing anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The GAD-7 can be recommended for use in clinical research and routine.

Authors: A. Hinz, A. M. Klein, E. Brahler, H. Glaesmer, T. Luck, S. G. Riedel-Heller, K. Wirkner, A. Hilbert

Date Published: 1st Mar 2017

Publication Type: Not specified

Human Diseases: generalized anxiety disorder

Elevated HbA1c is associated with increased risk of incident dementia in primary care patients.
LIFE Adult

Abstract (Expand)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor of dementia. The effect of T2DM treatment quality on dementia risk, however, is unclear. 1,342 elderly individuals recruited via general practitioner … registries (AgeCoDe cohort) were analyzed. This study analyzed the association between HbA1c level and the incidence of all-cause dementia (ACD) and of Alzheimer's disease dementia (referred to here as AD). HbA1c levels >/=6.5% were associated with 2.8-fold increased risk of incident ACD (p = 0.027) and for AD (p = 0.047). HbA1c levels >/=7% were associated with a five-fold increased risk of incident ACD (p = 0.001) and 4.7-fold increased risk of incident AD (p = 0.004). The T2DM diagnosis per se did not increase the risk of either ACD or AD. Higher levels of HbA1c are associated with increased risk of ACD and AD in an elderly population. T2DM diagnosis was not associated with increased risk if HbA1c levels were below 7%.

Authors: A. Ramirez, S. Wolfsgruber, C. Lange, H. Kaduszkiewicz, S. Weyerer, J. Werle, M. Pentzek, A. Fuchs, S. G. Riedel-Heller, T. Luck, E. Mosch, H. Bickel, B. Wiese, J. Prokein, H. H. Konig, C. Brettschneider, M. M. Breteler, W. Maier, F. Jessen, M. Scherer

Date Published: 20th Dec 2014

Publication Type: Not specified

Human Diseases: diabetes mellitus, dementia, Alzheimer's disease

Mortality in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline: Results of the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA75+).
LIFE Adult

Abstract (Expand)

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that dementia and cognitive impairment can increase mortality, but less is known about the association between subjectively perceived cognitive deficits (subjective … cognitive decline, SCD) and mortality risk. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed mortality in non-demented individuals with SCD in a general population sample aged 75+ years. METHOD: Data were derived from the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA75+). We used the Kaplan-Meier survival method to estimate survival times of individuals with and without SCD and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to assess the association between SCD and mortality risk, controlled for covariates. RESULTS: Out of 953 non-demented individuals at baseline, 117 (12.3% ) expressed SCD. Participants with SCD showed a significantly higher case-fatality rate per 1,000 person-years (114.8, 95% CI = 90.5-145.7 versus 71.7, 95% CI = 64.6-79.5) and a significantly shorter mean survival time than those without (5.4 versus 6.9 years, p < 0.001). The association between SCD and mortality remained significant in the Cox analysis; SCD increased mortality risk by about 50% (adjusted Hazard Ratio = 1.51) during the study period. Besides SCD, older age, male gender, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and lower global cognitive functioning were also significantly associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest an increased mortality risk in non-demented older individuals with SCD. Even though further studies are required to analyze potential underlying mechanisms, subjective reports on cognitive deficits may be taken seriously in clinical practice not only for an increased risk of developing dementia and AD but also for a broader range of possible adverse health outcomes.

Authors: T. Luck, S. Roehr, F. Jessen, A. Villringer, M. C. Angermeyer, S. G. Riedel-Heller

Date Published: 24th Sep 2015

Publication Type: Not specified

Human Diseases: dementia

Incident subjective memory complaints and the risk of subsequent dementia.
LIFE Adult

Abstract (Expand)

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to analyze the association between new-incident-subjective memory complaints (SMC) and risk of subsequent dementia in a general population sample aged 75+ years. … METHOD: Data were derived from follow-up (FUP) waves I-V of the population-based Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA75+). We used the Kaplan-Meier survival method to estimate dementia-free survival times of individuals with and without incident SMC and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to assess the association between incident SMC and risk of subsequent dementia, controlled for covariates. RESULTS: Of 443 non-demented individuals, 58 (13.1%) developed dementia during a subsequent 5.4-year follow-up period. Participants with incident SMC showed a significantly higher progression to dementia (18.5% vs. 10.0%; P=0.010) and a significantly shorter mean dementia-free survival time than those without (6.2 vs. 6.8 years; P=0.008). The association between incident SMC and risk of subsequent dementia remained significant in the multivariable Cox analysis (adjusted hazard ratio=1.8; P=0.028). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest higher progression to dementia and shorter dementia-free survival in older individuals with incident SMC. These findings support the notion that such subjective complaints should be taken seriously in clinical practice as possible early indicators of incipient dementia.

Authors: T. Luck, M. Luppa, H. Matschinger, F. Jessen, M. C. Angermeyer, S. G. Riedel-Heller

Date Published: 10th Sep 2014

Publication Type: Not specified

Human Diseases: dementia

The Speaking Voice in the General Population: Normative Data and Associations to Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors.
LIFE Adult

Abstract (Expand)

OBJECTIVES: Normative data concerning the speaking voice in the general population were gathered with the aim to establish standard values for clinical diagnostics. Associations between the speaking … voice and sociodemographic factors were examined. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cross-sectional population-based study. METHODS: Speaking voice profiles were measured for 2472 (1154 male and 1318 female) participants between the ages of 40 and 79 years, using four speaking voice intensity levels: softest speaking voice (I), conversational voice (II), classroom voice (III), and shouting voice (IV). Smoking status and socioeconomic status were assessed. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression. RESULTS: The mean voice frequencies were 111.8 Hz for male and 161.3 Hz for female participants (I), 111.9 Hz for male and 168.5 Hz for female participants (II), 130.2 Hz for male and 198.0 Hz for female participants (III), and 175.5 Hz for male and 246.2 Hz for female participants (IV). Frequencies increased significantly with age for male but not for female participants. Sound pressure levels rose significantly with age at intensity levels I-III for both sexes, but decreased at intensity level IV. Frequencies and sound pressure levels were similar between nonsmokers and former smokers. Current smokers showed significantly lower frequencies as opposed to non- and former smokers. Speaking voice range and dynamics increased with higher socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: The data are suitable as age-adjusted normative values for clinical measurement of the speaking voice. The mean fundamental speaking voice frequency of female participants was six to seven semitones lower than previously described.

Authors: M. Berg, M. Fuchs, K. Wirkner, M. Loeffler, C. Engel, T. Berger

Date Published: 3rd Jul 2016

Publication Type: Journal article

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