title: Health and happiness among community-dwelling older adults in Domkhar valley, Ladakh, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to show the status of objective geriatric functions and subjective quality of life in Ladakh, India, compared with Japanese controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data of 117 people aged 60 years or older in Domkhar, and age- and sex-specific Japanese controls. Variables measured included blood pressure, hemoglobin, timed up & go test, basic activities of daily living, Geriatric Depression Scale and the Visual Analog Scale for subjective quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  People in Domkhar were more likely to have difficulties in basic activities of daily living compared with Japanese controls. However, they were significantly more likely to maintain social roles. The Visual Analog Scale scores in subjective friendship, economic satisfaction and happiness were higher in Domkhar compared with Japanese controls. Living alone (OR 9.92, 95% CI 2.13-46.26), high Geriatric Depression Scale score (6 or more; OR 8.45, 95% CI 1.65-43.35) and timed up & go test (17 s or more; OR 21.00, 95% CI 1.69-260.87) were significantly associated with a low score of subjective happiness (less than 50). Residence in Domkhar (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.77) was a significant factor for low prevalence of a low score of subjective happiness by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective quality of life among older adults in Domkhar was higher than Japanese controls despite a higher rate of difficulty in basic activities of daily living. We have to consider prevention, treatment, and care of not only diseases and disabilities, but also loneliness for the older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 480-486.
authors.affiliation: Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.|Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.|Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryota
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.affiliation: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.|Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyohito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okumiya
authors.affiliation: Ladakh Institute of Prevention, Leh, India.
authors.forename: Tsering
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Norboo
authors.affiliation: Ladakh Institute of Prevention, Leh, India.
authors.forename: Norboo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsering
authors.affiliation: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Taizo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.affiliation: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujisawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Field Medicine, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Hissei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.affiliation: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nose
authors.affiliation: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishimoto
authors.affiliation: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.affiliation: Department of Field Medicine, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Eriko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fukutomi
authors.affiliation: Department of Field Medicine, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Wenling
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.|Department of Field Medicine, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Kozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsubayashi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006240:Happiness; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D007194:India; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: comprehensive geriatric assessment; high altitude; well-being