Roundup: Erratic Year-to-Year Cholesterol Levels May Raise Dementia Risk in Older Adults, and More News

Fluctuating Cholesterol Levels May Signal Higher Dementia Risk in Older Adults

New research suggests that older adults with fluctuating cholesterol levels from year to year may face an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, compared to those whose cholesterol levels remain stable.

The study, which is being presented this month at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, found that the greatest risk was among those whose cholesterol levels rose unpredictably over time.

While these findings are still preliminary, lead researcher Zhen Zhou, M.D., from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, states in a news release by the American Heart Association (AHA) that significant changes in cholesterol could act as an early warning sign. "Monitoring cholesterol changes over time in older adults could help identify those at risk for dementia, and allow for early interventions," says Dr. Zhou.

The AHA stresses that this research does not suggest people should avoid lowering high cholesterol. Lowering cholesterol remains a well-established method to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol, which is produced by the liver and also found in foods like meat, eggs, and dairy, is measured by its components: LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol), and triglycerides.

The study’s 9,846 participants were at least 65 years old with no prior history of cardiovascular events, dementia or cognitive issues.

Participants were divided into four groups based on how much their total cholesterol and LDL varied over the three-year period. After more than five years of follow-up, people with the largest variation in total cholesterol were 60 percent more likely to develop dementia and 23 percent more likely to show cognitive decline than those with the least variability, states the AHA.

While more research is needed to fully understand the connection, maintaining stable cholesterol levels may be an important factor in both heart and brain health as we age.

NIH Study Finds Long-Term Benefits for Young People Who Undergo Weight-Loss Surgery

A recent large-scale study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found encouraging long-term results for young individuals with severe obesity who underwent weight-loss surgery at 19 years old or younger. These young patients experienced sustained weight loss and significant improvements in obesity-related health conditions -- even a decade after their surgeries.

In the study, participants averaging 17 years of age underwent either gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Ten years later, they maintained an average reduction of 20 percent in their body mass index (BMI).

In addition to weight loss, participants saw substantial improvements in their health: there was a 55 percent reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes;, a 57 percent decrease in hypertension, and a 54 percent decline in abnormal cholesterol levels. Notably, both surgical options — gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy — showed similar effectiveness.

The reduction in type 2 diabetes among young participants was particularly striking. At 55 percent, this rate far exceeds those typically observed in adults post-surgery — 18 percent after seven years and 12.7 percent after twelve years, according to another NIH-funded study. This indicates that type 2 diabetes, which tends to progress more rapidly in younger populations, may be more effectively managed through bariatric surgery in youth than in adults.

The study, known as the Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen LABS), was supported by the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and various other NIH resources. This research underscores the potential long-term health benefits of bariatric surgery for adolescents struggling with severe obesity.

The study’s promising results highlight the critical importance of addressing obesity in young people, and the role that weight-loss surgery can play in improving their long-term health outcomes.

The NIH study states: “For teens with severe obesity, lifestyle changes such as following a healthy eating plan for weight loss and being more active are important, but if not enough weight is lost to improve health, then additional treatments such as weight-loss surgery may be considered.”

Understanding Influenza Risks During Pregnancy: Key Insights from Recent Data

Pregnancy comes with some additional health risks, particularly when it comes to infections like influenza. Not much is known about how often pregnant women are hospitalized due to the flu. Recent data on this issue emphasizes the importance of vaccination and early treatment, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a study conducted in Suzhou, China from October 2018 to September 2023, researchers found that the annual hospitalization rate for women who were pregnant, or within two weeks postpartum, was 11.1 per 1,000 live births, the CDC reports

Specifically, the hospitalization rate for flu-related illnesses was 2.1 per 1,000 live births. However, 86 percent of the pregnant women admitted for flu were placed in obstetrics wards, not respiratory medicine wards, and fewer than one in three received antiviral medications, the CDC states.

Moreover, vaccination rates among these women were concerningly low—less than 0.1 percent of those hospitalized for flu had been vaccinated.

The CDC states that these findings may indicated a significant public health concern. Increased vaccination coverage among pregnant women could greatly reduce the complications associated with influenza. There's also a need for better awareness and education about the risks of flu in pregnancy. This includes the importance of early detection, timely treatment, and effective infection control measures in obstetrics wards, the CDC concludes..

By promoting vaccination and improving treatment protocols, pregnant women and their newborns can be better protected from the potentially severe impacts of influenza.