Do elderly women have more physical disability than men do?

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Higher prevalence of physical disability is observed in women.
• The reasons for this disparity, including incidence, mortality, and recovery, require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if higher physical disability prevalence in women stems from higher incidence or other factors like selective mortality or poor recovery.
• To identify predictors of incident physical disability.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 2,025 community-dwelling older adults (aged 55+) in Marin County, California.
• Baseline assessment (1989-1991) and 4-year follow-up measuring lower body physical disability and risk factors.
• Analysis of incidence, recovery, and mortality rates.

Main Results:

• Women exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates of physical disability (OR=1.66, 1.60; p<0.001).
• No significant difference in incidence rates of physical disability was found between sexes (OR=1.12).
• Higher prevalence in women is explained by longer duration due to lower recovery and mortality rates.
• Incident disability predictors included chronic illnesses, poor vision, obesity, inactivity, poor memory, fewer social activities, and depression, but not sex.

Conclusions:

• Higher physical disability prevalence in women is attributed to longer duration, not higher incidence.
• Prevention strategies should focus on reducing modifiable risk factors in both sexes.
• Promoting higher recovery rates, particularly among women, is crucial for reducing disability burden.