AIM: To evaluate the social, educational, health and behavioral predictors of physical functional decline in older Spanish adults. METHODS: A 2-year longitudinal study based on 699 community-dwelling Spanish adults aged over 65 years participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe was carried out. Several predictors of a combined measure of functional disability were examined using logistic regressions. RESULTS: A decline in function was experienced by 166 individuals. Functional decline in men was associated with an increased number of chronic diseases (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.21-4.19) and depressive symptoms (OR 5.05, 95% CI 2.42-10.54) over a 2-year period, whereas among women it was associated with decreased numeracy score (OR 1.88, 95%CI 1.05-3.34). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal changes in predictors are strongly associated with longitudinal changes in function between baseline and a 2-year follow up, most clearly among men. A decrease in cognitive functioning and increased depressive symptoms are associated with a decline in physical functioning, and can serve as useful clinical predictors to prevent disability in older Spanish adults.
AIM: To evaluate the social, educational, health and behavioral predictors of physical functional decline in older Spanish adults. METHODS: A 2-year longitudinal study based on 699 community-dwelling Spanish adults aged over 65 years participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe was carried out. Several predictors of a combined measure of functional disability were examined using logistic regressions. RESULTS: A decline in function was experienced by 166 individuals. Functional decline in men was associated with an increased number of chronic diseases (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.21-4.19) and depressive symptoms (OR 5.05, 95% CI 2.42-10.54) over a 2-year period, whereas among women it was associated with decreased numeracy score (OR 1.88, 95%CI 1.05-3.34). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal changes in predictors are strongly associated with longitudinal changes in function between baseline and a 2-year follow up, most clearly among men. A decrease in cognitive functioning and increased depressive symptoms are associated with a decline in physical functioning, and can serve as useful clinical predictors to prevent disability in older Spanish adults.
Authors: Susan M McCurry; Laura E Gibbons; Gail E Bond; Madeline Murguia Rice; Amy Borenstein Graves; Walter A Kukull; Linda Teri; Roger Higdon; James D Bowen; Wayne C McCormick; Eric B Larson Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2002-06 Impact factor: 3.878
Authors: Angel Otero; María Victoria Zunzunegui; Angel Rodríguez-Laso; María Dolores Aguilar; Pablo Lázaro Journal: Rev Esp Salud Publica Date: 2004 Mar-Apr