Upstate College of Medicine Scholarly Publications
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/1140
2024-03-29T11:06:30ZAssociation Between Cannabis Use and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/14754
Association Between Cannabis Use and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Wong, Roger; Chen, Zhi
Background: Cannabis consumption has rapidly increased in the United States due to more states legalizing non-medical and medical use. There is limited research, however, investigating whether cannabis may be associated with cognitive function, particularly across multiple dimensions of cannabis use.
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine whether cannabis consumption reason, frequency, and method are associated with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
Methods: Data were obtained from 4,744 U.S. adults aged 45 and older in the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). SCD was a self-reported increase in confusion or memory loss in the past year. Odds of SCD by cannabis use reason, frequency, and methods (e.g., smoke, eat, vaporize) were examined using multiple logistic regression after imputing missing data, applying sampling weights, and adjusting for sociodemographic, health, and substance use covariates.
Results: Compared to non-users, non-medical cannabis use was significantly associated with 96% decreased odds of SCD (aOR=0.04, 95% CI=0.01-0.44, p<.01). Medical (aOR=0.46, 95% CI=0.06-3.61, p=.46) and dual medical and non-medical use (aOR=0.30, 95% CI=0.03-2.92, p=.30) were also associated with decreased odds of SCD, although not significant. Cannabis consumption frequency and method were not significantly associated with SCD.
Conclusion: The reason for cannabis use, but not frequency and method, is associated with SCD. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms that may contribute to the observed associations between non-medical cannabis use and decreased odds of SCD.
2024-02-23T00:00:00ZInteraction effect of race-ethnicity and dementia on COVID-19 diagnosis among a national US older adult sample
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/14734
Interaction effect of race-ethnicity and dementia on COVID-19 diagnosis among a national US older adult sample
Wong, Roger; Grullon, Jason Rafael
Older racial and ethnic minorities and older adults with dementia have an elevated COVID-19 risk, warranting research into the intersection between these two high-risk groups. We examined whether race-ethnicity moderates the association between dementia and COVID-19 diagnosis. Data were retrieved for 3189 respondents from a nationally representative prospective cohort sample of US older adults aged 65+ years. We analysed the effects of the interaction between race-ethnicity and dementia on COVID-19 diagnosis, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health and COVID-19 mitigation behaviours. The odds of COVID-19 diagnosis were significantly lower for Black older adults with dementia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01-0.78, = 0.03). In addition, dementia increased the odds of COVID-19 diagnosis among Hispanic older adults (aOR = 1.59, 95% CI = 0.12-21.29, = 0.72), although this increase was not statistically significant. The interaction between race-ethnicity and dementia should be considered when assessing COVID-19 risk among older adults. Future research is needed to examine pathways through which dementia may interact with race and ethnicity to influence COVID-19 risk.
2024-03-14T00:00:00ZDisparities in neighbourhood characteristics and 10-year dementia risk by nativity status.
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/14684
Disparities in neighbourhood characteristics and 10-year dementia risk by nativity status.
Wong, Roger; Soong, Daniel
Prior research indicates that neighbourhood disadvantage increases dementia risk. There is, however, inconclusive evidence on the relationship between nativity and cognitive impairment. To our knowledge, our study is the first to analyse how nativity and neighbourhood interact to influence dementia risk.; Ten years of prospective cohort data (2011-2020) were retrieved from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative sample of 5,362 U.S. older adults aged 65+. Cox regression analysed time to dementia diagnosis using nativity status (foreign- or native-born) and composite scores for neighbourhood physical disorder (litter, graffiti and vacancies) and social cohesion (know, help and trust each other), after applying sampling weights and imputing missing data.; In a weighted sample representing 26.9 million older adults, about 9.5% ( = 2.5 million) identified as foreign-born and 24.4% ( = 6.5 million) had an incident dementia diagnosis. Average baseline neighbourhood physical disorder was 0.19 (range 0-9), and baseline social cohesion was 4.28 (range 0-6). Baseline neighbourhood physical disorder was significantly higher among foreign-born (mean = 0.28) compared to native-born (mean = 0.18) older adults ( = -2.4, = .02). Baseline neighbourhood social cohesion was significantly lower for foreign-born (mean = 3.57) compared to native-born (mean = 4.33) older adults ( = 5.5, < .001). After adjusting for sociodemographic, health and neighbourhood variables, foreign-born older adults had a 51% significantly higher dementia risk (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.19-1.90, < .01). There were no significant interactions for nativity with neighbourhood physical disorder or social cohesion.; Our findings suggest that foreign-born older adults have higher neighbourhood physical disorder and lower social cohesion compared to native-born older adults. Despite the higher dementia risk, we observed for foreign-born older adults, and this relationship was not moderated by either neighbourhood physical disorder or social cohesion. Further research is needed to understand what factors are contributing to elevated dementia risk among foreign-born older adults.
2024-02-15T00:00:00ZMulti-sectoral collaborations to increase recruitment and retention of diverse older adults in biomedical research
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/13920
Multi-sectoral collaborations to increase recruitment and retention of diverse older adults in biomedical research
Wong, Roger; Grullon, Jason Rafael; McNamara, Sarah Elizabeth; Smith, Nancy Hovey; Dillenbeck, Colleen Anne; Royal, Kathy; Brangman, Sharon Anne
Background
Older adults, especially minoritized racial-ethnic groups, are historically underrepresented in biomedical research. This study summarizes the development and assesses the impact of a review board involving a multi-sectoral group of stakeholders with the goal of increasing the diversity of older adults in biomedical research.
Methods
A 25-member board of community members, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians from Upstate New York reviewed three projects presented by researchers, clinician-scientists, and a pharmaceutical company between January and December 2022. For each biomedical research project, the reviews provided guidance to increase the recruitment and retention of diverse older adults engaged in the study. Review board members and presenters completed surveys to provide feedback on their experience in this collaboration.
Results
There was consistent positive feedback from all members and presenters. From member surveys, feedback trended positive in meetings throughout the year. Community members and caregivers initially indicated discomfort in expressing their views, however, these concerns subsided over time. Presenters had a very positive experience in the review board’s impact on their recruitment strategy and study design, and therefore very likely to use this service again. Recommendations were made to adjust membership criteria, presentation format, and funding to sustain this effort.
Conclusions
Lack of diversity for older adults represented in biomedical research contributes to ethical and generalizability ramifications. The positive feedback from all stakeholders in our multi-sectoral board of community members, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians offers a promising structure for developing similar strategies to increase diversity within and beyond biomedical aging research in other communities.
2023-11-09T00:00:00Z