Introduction: Cognitive decline and cognitive impairment among older adults is a rising public health concern because of its association with increased risk of dementia, disability and mortality. In Malaysia, early identification of cognitive impairment is uncommon due to lack of understanding of risk profile of the elderly population. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with cognitive impairment among community-dwell- ing older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 698 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years old and above in Klang Valley, Malaysia by using multi-stage sampling to determine the risk factors and predictors of cognitive impairment from a multidimensional approach. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, physical functional status and cognitive impairment. Results: Increased of age (OR = 1.056), being female (OR = 2.219) and Indian (OR = 2.722) were the risk factors for cognitive impairment, while years of education (OR = 0.765), physically active (OR = 0.823) and better physical function (OR = 0.843) were significantly associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment. Marital and nutritional status failed to predict the risk of cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Given the protective effects of physical activity and physical function on the cognitive decline at later age, relevant policymakers should formulate appropriate health education programmes to promote regular physical activity to improve physical and cognitive function among Malaysians across all ages.
Introduction: Literatures suggest that insufficient physical activity as one of the contributors to non-communicable chronic diseases; nevertheless, data on the physical activity level is sparsely reported among individuals practising a vegetarian diet in Malaysia. The current study aims to determine the prevalence of insufficient physical activity and its association with socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors and body weight status among 273 individuals prac- tising a vegetarian diet in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Methods: A set of self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all vegetarians and their data on physical activity was determined using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Results: The average years of practising vegetarianism was 14.2±9.6 years, and most of the vegetarians were practised ovo-vegetarian diet (44.0%). A majority of them were Chinese (54.9%) and female (64.8%), with an aver- age age of 47.5 ± 13.1 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 27.5% and 8.1%, respectively. Accord- ing to GPAQ, about two in five vegetarians (46.2%) were having insufficient physical activity. Being females, older age, Chinese, married individuals, and those with high total household income level were found to be significantly associated with low physical activity level among Malaysian vegetarians (p
Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is common among hemodialysis patients, often accompanies with unfavourable clinical outcomes. Several factors affect phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients, with lack of such infor- mation at the local context. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations of sociodemographic factors, knowledge on optimal control of serum phosphate, perceived social support from family, dietary phospho- rus intake and phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients. Methods: Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic factors, knowledge, family social support and dietary phosphorus intakes of hemodialysis patients, with serum phosphate level was used as the surrogate marker for phosphate compliance. Results: A total of 76 patients (Mean age of 52 years old) were recruited. Hyperphosphatemia was prevalent with ap- proximately 60% of the patients failed to achieve the target. Approximately 90% of the patients perceived low level of family social support. Young patients had significant higher serum phosphate compared to their older counterparts (r = -0.297, p =0.009). Serum phosphate was positively correlated with dietary intake of phosphorus, dialysis vintage (r = 0.301, p = 0.006) and comorbidity score (r = 0.325, p = 0.008) while negatively correlated with dialysis dose (r = -0.582, p = 0.002) and family social support (r = -0.263, p = 0.024). Conclusion: The promising role of dietary phosphorus intake in managing hyperphosphatemia deserves further attention. Innovative approaches are needed to promote self-adherence on serum phosphate especially the younger patients. It is imperative to promote family social support in the management of hyperphosphatemia among hemodialysis patients.
Although hemodialysis treatment has greatly increased the life expectancy of end stage renal disease patients, low quality of life among hemodialysis patients is frequently reported. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the relationship between medical history, hemodialysis treatment and nutritional status with the mental and physical components of quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Respondents (n=90) were recruited from Hospital Kuala Lumpur and dialysis centres of the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia. Data obtained included socio-demography, medical history, hemodialysis treatment and nutritional status. Mental and physical quality of life were measured using the Mental Composite Summary (MCS) and Physical Composite Summary (PCS) of the Short-Form Health Survey 36-items, a generic core of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form. Two summary measures and total SF-36 was scored as 0-100, with a higher score indicating better quality of life. Approximately 26 (30%) of respondents achieved the body mass index (24 kg/m(2)) and more than 80% (n=77) achieved serum albumin level (>35.0 mg/dL) recommended for hemodialysis patients. The majority of respondents did not meet the energy (n=72, 80%) and protein (n=68,75%) recommendations. The total score of SF-36 was 54.1 ± 19.2, while the score for the mental and physical components were 45.0 ± 8.6 and 39.6 ± 8.6, respectively. Factors associated with a higher MCS score were absence of diabetes mellitus (p=0.000) and lower serum calcium (p=0.004), while higher blood flow (p=0.000), higher serum creatinine (p=0.000) and lower protein intake (p=0.006) were associated with a higher PCS score. To improve the overall quality of life of hemodialysis patients, a multidisciplinary intervention that includes medical, dietetic and psychosocial strategies that address factors associated with mental and physical quality of life are warranted to reduce further health complications and to improve quality of life.