@article {9009, title = {Arthritis and cognitive impairment in older adults.}, journal = {Rheumatology International}, volume = {37}, year = {2017}, pages = {955-961}, abstract = {Adults aged 65 or older with arthritis may be at increased risk for cognitive impairment [cognitive impairment but not dementia (CIND) or dementia]. Studies have found associations between arthritis and cognition impairments; however, none have examined whether persons with arthritis develop cognitive impairments at higher rates than those without arthritis. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we estimated the prevalence of cognitive impairments in older adults with and without arthritis, and examined associations between arthritis status and cognitive impairments. We calculated incidence density ratios (IDRs) using generalized estimating equations to estimate associations between arthritis and cognitive impairments adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income, depression, obesity, smoking, the number of chronic conditions, physical activity, and birth cohort. The prevalence of CIND and dementia did not significantly differ between those with and without arthritis (CIND: 20.8\%, 95\% CI 19.7-21.9 vs. 18.3\%, 95\% CI 16.8-19.8; dementia: 5.2\% 95\% CI 4.6-5.8 vs. 5.1\% 95\% CI 4.3-5.9). After covariate control, older adults with arthritis did not differ significantly from those without arthritis for either cognitive outcome (CIND IDR: 1.6, 95\% CI = 0.9-2.9; dementia IDR: 1.1, 95\% CI = 0.4-3.3) and developed cognitive impairments at a similar rate to those without arthritis. Older adults with arthritis were not significantly more at risk to develop cognitive impairments and developed cognitive impairments at a similar rate as older adults without arthritis over 6~years.}, keywords = {Arthritis, Cognitive Ability, Older Adults}, issn = {1437-160X}, doi = {10.1007/s00296-017-3698-1}, author = {Nancy A. Baker and Kamil E Barbour and Charles G Helmick and Matthew M. Zack and Soham Al Snih} } @article {6494, title = {Associations Between Arthritis and Change in Physical Function in U.S. Retirees.}, journal = {J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci}, volume = {72}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Jan}, pages = {127-133}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine among retirees: the associations of arthritis with limitations in physical functions, and whether these associations changed differently with age for those with arthritis versus without arthritis.

METHODS: We identified retirees from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal panel study of U.S. adults >=51 years old. We calculated incidence density ratios (IDRs) using Poisson regression modeling with generalized estimating equations to estimate the associations between arthritis and limitations in four physical function measures (large muscle tasks, mobility, activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living) adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, total household income, depression, obesity, smoking, chronic conditions, physical activity, and cohort status. We examined interaction effects between arthritis and age to determine if the rate of change in physical function differed by arthritis status across age.

RESULTS: Over 8 years (2004-2012), significantly more retirees with arthritis had limitations with large muscle tasks (IDR 2.1: 95\% confidence interval 1.6, 2.8), mobility (IDR 1.6: 1.2, 2.2), activities of daily living (IDR 2.2: 1.0, 4.7), and instrumental activities of daily living (IDR 3.7: 1.9, 7.4) than retirees without arthritis. Retirees with arthritis did not develop limitations in mobility, activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living at a different rate as they aged compared to those without arthritis.

CONCLUSIONS: Arthritis was associated with a greater prevalence of physical function limitations. Preventing limitations caused by arthritis is a key strategy to prevent disability in retirees.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Age Factors, Aged, Arthritis, Case-Control Studies, Female, Health Status, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Muscle Strength, Retirement, United States}, issn = {1758-535X}, doi = {10.1093/gerona/glw075}, url = {http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/04/26/gerona.glw075.abstract}, author = {Nancy A. Baker and Kamil E Barbour and Charles G Helmick and Matthew M. Zack and Soham Al Snih} }