Mental health in the aged: prevalence, covariates and related neuroendocrine, cardiovascular and inflammatory factors of successful aging

Background Although aging is accompanied by diminished functioning, many elderly individuals preserve a sense of well-being. While the concept of "successful aging" has been popular for many decades, little is known about its psycho-physiologic and endocrine underpinnings. KORA-Age is a po...

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Published in:BMC medical research methodology Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 36
Main Authors: Lacruz, Maria E, Emeny, Rebecca T, Bickel, Horst, Cramer, Barbara, Kurz, Alexander, Bidlingmaier, Martin, Huber, Dorothea, Klug, Günther, Peters, Annette, Ladwig, Karl H
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London BioMed Central 30.04.2010
BioMed Central Ltd
BMC
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged patients
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - physiology
Aging - psychology
Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
Care and treatment
Cohort Studies
Corticosteroids
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Health aspects
Health Sciences
Health Status
Hormones - physiology
Humans
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Mental Health
Methods
Pituitary hormones
Prevalence studies (Epidemiology)
Psychological aspects
Quality of Life
Social Support
Statistical Theory and Methods
Statistics for Life Sciences
Study Protocol
Theory of Medicine/Bioethics
Germany
Secure Attachment
Oxytocin
Geriatric Depression Scale
Generalise Anxiety Disorder
Successful Aging
ISSN:1471-2288, 1471-2288
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background Although aging is accompanied by diminished functioning, many elderly individuals preserve a sense of well-being. While the concept of "successful aging" has been popular for many decades, little is known about its psycho-physiologic and endocrine underpinnings. KORA-Age is a population-based, longitudinal study designed to determine the prevalence of successfully aged men and women between 65 and 94 years old in the MONICA/KORA Augsburg cohort of randomly selected inhabitants. Specifically, we aim to identify predictors of successful aging and to elucidate bio-psychosocial mechanisms that maintain mental health and successful adaptation despite adverse experiences of life and aging. Methods/Design Components of successful aging were assessed in a telephone survey of 4,127 participants (2008-2009) enrolled in the MONICA/KORA cohort, on average, 13 years earlier. Psychosocial, somatic and behavioural predictors are used to determine factors that contribute to successful aging. An age-stratified random sub-sample (n = 1,079) participated in a personal interview where further psychological mechanisms that may underlie successful adaptation (resilience, social support, attachment) were examined. The interactions among neuroendocrine systems in the aging process are investigated by studying the cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate ratio, the level of insulin-like growth factor I, and oxytocin. Discussion Longitudinal determinants of successful aging can be assessed based on a follow-up of an average of 13 years. A comprehensive analysis of biological as well as physio-psychological information provides a unique opportunity to investigate relevant outcomes such as resilience and frailty in the elderly population.
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ISSN:1471-2288
1471-2288
DOI:10.1186/1471-2288-10-36