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Risk factors for disability subtypes in older persons
Thomas M Gill1, Terrence E Murphy, Lisa C Barry
1Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06504, USA. thomas.gill@yale.edu
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|August 22, 2009
Summary
This study identified risk factors for five disability subtypes in older adults. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was linked to all subtypes, with other factors like stroke and grip strength also playing roles.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Public Health
- Epidemiology of Aging
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Understanding disability subtypes is crucial for targeted interventions in aging populations.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the distinct risk factors for various disability trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific risk factors associated with five distinct subtypes of disability in older adults.
- To investigate the predictive value of various health and functional measures for incident disability.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study was conducted with 754 community-living older adults (aged 70+) initially free from disability.
- Risk factors were assessed every 18 months over 90 months, with disability subtypes (transient, short-term, long-term, recurrent, unstable) tracked via monthly interviews for up to 108 months.
- Multivariate analysis was employed to determine associations between candidate risk factors and disability subtypes.
Main Results:
- The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was significantly associated with all five disability subtypes.
- Stroke, visual impairment, and poor grip strength were identified as risk factors for specific disability subtypes.
- Transient and unstable disability shared common risk factors including depressive symptoms, stroke, and poor grip strength, in addition to the SPPB.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest some shared and some distinct risk factors across different disability subtypes in older adults.
- While the SPPB is a consistent predictor, other factors like stroke and grip strength highlight specific vulnerabilities.
- The distinct nature of the five disability subtypes requires further investigation to fully support their differentiation.
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