Wilma E Afunugo1, Chih-Ying Li2, Lin-Na Chou3, Frank Ward4, Soham Al Snih4,5,6. 1. School of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. 2. Department of Occupational Therapy, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. 3. Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. 4. Department of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. 5. Division of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine/Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. 6. Sealy Center on Aging, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Pain remains largely undertreated in older adults irrespective of health care setting. Mexican American adults in the United States have a high age-adjusted prevalence of obesity. However, the association of pain and obesity with physical function is understudied in this population. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of co-occurring pain and obesity with physical function over 20 years of follow-up in a cohort of older Mexican Americans who scored ≥7 (moderate to high) in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and were nondisabled at baseline. DESIGN: Longitudinal population-based study. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults from Southwestern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican American adults age 65 years and older. INTERVENTIONS: Not Applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical function was assessed with the SPPB test (standing balance, timed 8-ft walk, and five repeated timed chair stands). Participants at baseline were divided into four groups: no pain-no obesity (n = 869), obesity only (n = 282), pain only (n = 216), and pain-obesity (n = 159). Generalized Estimating Equation models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of lower performance in physical function over 20 years as a function of pain-obesity grouping. RESULTS: Participants with pain only (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.34-1.95) and with co-occurring pain and obesity (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.83-2.95) had significantly greater odds of physical function impairment over those with no pain-no obesity or obesity only, after controlling for all covariates. CONCLUSION: Older Mexican American adults were at high risk for physical function impairment over time if they had pain or co-occurring pain and obesity. Early assessment and proper pain management as well as maintaining a healthy weight may reduce declines in physical function in older Mexican American adults.
INTRODUCTION: Pain remains largely undertreated in older adults irrespective of health care setting. Mexican American adults in the United States have a high age-adjusted prevalence of obesity. However, the association of pain and obesity with physical function is understudied in this population. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of co-occurring pain and obesity with physical function over 20 years of follow-up in a cohort of older Mexican Americans who scored ≥7 (moderate to high) in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and were nondisabled at baseline. DESIGN: Longitudinal population-based study. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults from Southwestern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican American adults age 65 years and older. INTERVENTIONS: Not Applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical function was assessed with the SPPB test (standing balance, timed 8-ft walk, and five repeated timed chair stands). Participants at baseline were divided into four groups: no pain-no obesity (n = 869), obesity only (n = 282), pain only (n = 216), and pain-obesity (n = 159). Generalized Estimating Equation models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of lower performance in physical function over 20 years as a function of pain-obesity grouping. RESULTS: Participants with pain only (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.34-1.95) and with co-occurring pain and obesity (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.83-2.95) had significantly greater odds of physical function impairment over those with no pain-no obesity or obesity only, after controlling for all covariates. CONCLUSION: Older Mexican American adults were at high risk for physical function impairment over time if they had pain or co-occurring pain and obesity. Early assessment and proper pain management as well as maintaining a healthy weight may reduce declines in physical function in older Mexican American adults.
Authors: Tamer Ahmed; Simon D French; Emmanuelle Belanger; Ricardo Oliveira Guerra; Maria Victoria Zunzunegui; Mohammad Auais Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2019-05-31 Impact factor: 4.669
Authors: F De Stefano; S Zambon; L Giacometti; G Sergi; M C Corti; E Manzato; L Busetto Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Christine L Gray; Lynne C Messer; Kristen M Rappazzo; Jyotsna S Jagai; Shannon C Grabich; Danelle T Lobdell Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-08-30 Impact factor: 3.240