Dear Editor,
1.
We read with great interest the study by Lyu et al. on cross‐sectional associations of integrated lifestyle‐related factors with intrinsic capacity in community‐dwelling older adults: the Kashiwa cohort study [1]. The findings of this study indicated that among the elderly residing in the community, favorable lifestyle‐related factors were positively correlated with intrinsic capacity (IC). The conclusion provides valuable evidence for future longitudinal studies and intervention studies on healthy aging. Here, we would like to express the following opinions and viewpoints.
First, the reduction of IC will have a severe impact on the elderly. A prospective study conducted in the UK Biobank revealed that the IC deficit score was a powerful indicator for predicting an individual's cardiovascular disease incidence, as well as their trajectory and vulnerability of premature death. Monitoring an individual's IC score can serve as an early warning system to initiate preventive measures [2]. A study from China showed that the more severe the impairment of IC function, the higher the risk of sarcopenia [3]. A multiple cohort study found that the overall IC and its five dimensions were related to the incidence of stroke, and the strongest association was observed in adults aged 80 and above [4]. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of longitudinal studies included 37 studies (with a total of 206 693 participants, with an average age range of 65.3–85.9 years). The conclusion pointed out that IC was negatively correlated with the functional decline and mortality risk in the elderly [5].
Second, it is necessary to implement targeted prevention and control measures to improve the IC of the elderly. A single‐blind randomized controlled trial demonstrated that both 26‐week aerobic training combined with self‐directed home‐based training, as well as resistance training combined with self‐directed home‐based training, could improve IC in elderly people living in the community [6]. A longitudinal Chinese study has found that for middle‐aged and elderly people, maintaining a sleep duration of 6 to 8 h per night and taking a short nap of no more than 60 min after lunch may help maintain optimal IC or delay its decline [7]. The conclusions from two longitudinal aging studies conducted in 2016 and 2018 (with 2910 participants, average age 66) revealed that the neighborhood environment was of vital importance for the IC of the elderly, and it can be improved through policy intervention [8]. The Healthy Longevity and Aging in Place (HOPE) randomized controlled trial found that the treatment strategy focusing on effective treatment of osteoporosis, improvement of exercise and nutritional support was a feasible method for enhancing the IC of the elderly population in rural communities [9]. A national cohort study conducted in China (with 7669 participants, an average age of 68.5 years, and a female proportion of 49.8%) revealed that multiple burdens such as individual and social economic, educational, and housing factors were closely related to IC. It is necessary to take targeted intervention measures to improve the health‐related social determinants (SDOH) levels of high‐risk individuals [10].
In short, we should pay attention to the IC of elderly people in the community, and develop feasible and effective prevention and treatment strategies around the five areas of IC, namely motor ability, cognitive ability, psychological ability, vitality, and sensory ability, in order to improve the physical function, health level, and happiness index of the elderly.
Funding
This work was supported by Jinan Health High‐Caliber Talent Project (202412); Shandong Province Medical and Health Science and Technology Development Plan (202003030878).
Disclosure
The authors have nothing to report.
Ethics Statement
Ethical approval was not required for this letter as it does not involve new research on human or animal subjects.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
References
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Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.