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Sex disparities in self-reported physical functioning: true differences, reporting bias, or incomplete adjustment for
Grant H Louie1, Michael M Ward
1Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|May 22, 2010
Summary
Older women report similar physical functioning limitations as men when accounting for age, health, and physical abilities. This finding suggests that sex disparities in self-reported physical functioning may be explained by other factors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sex disparities in self-reported physical functioning are common in older adults.
- Potential confounding factors and reporting bias may influence these disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if sex differences in self-reported physical functioning persist after adjusting for confounding factors.
- To examine potential reporting biases between sexes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 5,396 U.S. noninstitutionalized older adults (aged 60+).
- Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
- Assessed self-reported limitations in 11 physical functions.
Main Results:
- Unadjusted analyses showed women reporting more limitations in 10 of 11 tasks.
- After multivariate adjustment, women reported more limitations only in lifting/carrying 10 pounds (aOR=2.03).
- No evidence of systematic reporting differences for this specific limitation.
Conclusions:
- Older women and men exhibit similar self-reported physical functioning limitations when matched for age, health status, and physical abilities.
- The initial disparities observed are largely explained by factors other than sex alone.
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