New York (April 1, 2024) – Researchers presenting at this year’s American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting (#AGS24) to be held May 9 – 11 (pre-conference days: Tuesday & Wednesday, May 7-8) represent the best and brightest in geriatrics scholarship, with this year’s presentations drawn from a pool of more than 750 submissions. The presenters at this year’s prestigious #AGS24 Plenary Paper Session (Thurs., May 9 - 11:15 am – 12 pm EST) reflect the breadth and depth of research that is focused on improving the health and well-being of all of us as we age:

FOX03 Genotype Mitigates the Effect of Low Bioavailable Testosterone on Mortality: The Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program (presented by Ayumi Emily Sakamoto)

Studies have found that age-related decline of testosterone is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. The gene FOX03 regulates numerous homeostatic pathways, and the minor allele (G) of SNP rs2802292 has been associated with longer lifespan compared to major allele homozygote (TT). Utilizing data from the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program, a longitudinal cohort study of Japanese-American men in Hawaii since 1965, Ayumi Emily Sakamoto and her colleagues aimed to shed light on the interplay between testosterone, genetics, and mortality risk.

Analyzing data from 3,138 Japanese-American men over 32 years, the study authors discovered that lower bioavailable testosterone levels were linked to higher mortality rates, particularly among those with the FOX03 TT genotype. However, this association was not evident in individuals carrying the FOX03 G allele, indicating a potential protective effect of this allele against the adverse impact of low testosterone. The findings underscore the significance of genetic factors in understanding the complex interplay between hormones like testosterone and mortality in aging populations, provides valuable insights into the role of testosterone and genetics in determining longevity, and suggests avenues for further research into personalized approaches for managing health risks in older adults.

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) for Independence at Home Qualified (IAHQ) Veterans Lowers Costs and Expands Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) (presented by Bruce Kinosian, MD)

The effectiveness of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program with a broad interdisciplinary team (IDT), in reducing total care costs (TCC) for high-need Veterans is not clearly understood.

Dr. Bruce Kinosian and his colleagues, through their meticulous analysis of combined VA and CMS data for Veterans receiving primary care from VA, found that HBPC Veterans experienced lower TCC, with significant reductions in both VA and Medicare costs. Specifically, HBPC Veterans had a $331 per Veteran per month (PVPM) reduction in VA TCC costs and a substantial $1,066 PVPM reduction in combined VA and Medicare costs. Moreover, hospitalizations were notably reduced by 12% among HBPC Veterans compared to IAHQ non-HBPC Veterans, showcasing the program's effectiveness in providing cost-effective and quality care for high-need Veterans, particularly those in their terminal year.

Decision Regret in Patients Considering Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (presented by Tais Moreira Protasio, MD)

Every year in the United States, more than 200,000 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted in patients. While these devices can effectively prevent death, they have also been linked to decreased quality of life. Dr. Tais Moreira Protasio and colleagues investigated the levels of regret experienced by patients who were offered an ICD. Additionally, the study aimed to explore factors that might contribute to feelings of regret, including experiences of being shocked by a defibrillator, the depth of knowledge concerning ICDs, as well anxiety and depression among patients.

Spanning six US centers from 2018 to 2021, the study incorporated data from 533 participants offered ICD implantation, replacement, or cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator. Surveys at baseline, I, and 6 months examined regret, decision quality knowledge, ICD experiences, anxiety, and depression. Results showed low overall regret, with less than 11% expressing significant regret at 6 months. Regret was lower in the defibrillator group compared to those without a device, while higher regret in the latter group was linked to lower baseline knowledge. There was a trend of increasing regret with more shocks experienced, although regret was not significantly associated with being shocked.

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About the American Geriatrics Society

Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals that has—for more than 75 years—worked to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Its nearly 6,000 members include geriatricians, geriatric nurses, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. For more information, visit AmericanGeriatrics.org.

About the AGS Annual Scientific Meeting

The AGS Annual Scientific Meeting is the premier educational event in geriatrics, providing the latest information on clinical care, research on aging, and innovative models of care delivery. More than 2,600 nurses, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, social workers, long-term care and managed care providers, healthcare administrators, and others will convene virtually May 9 – 11 (pre-conference days: Tuesday & Wednesday, May 7-8) to advance geriatrics knowledge and skills through state-of-the-art educational sessions and research presentations. For more information, visit https://meeting.americangeriatrics.org/.

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