[Short physical performance battery reference values for patients 70 years-old and over in primary health care]

To provide new reference values for the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) for patients 70 years-old and over in primary health care (PHC), and analyse their relationship with demographic data, physical function, health and clinical status.

Baseline interviews and observations of a longitudinal study on physical function and adverse health results.

Five Primary Care Centres in the provinces of Alicante and Valencia.

A total of 593 persons 70 years-old and over.

The SPPB was applied using direct observation, and the rest of the variables by interview. Reference values were calculated according to sex and three age groups (70-75, 76-80, > 80 years), and the validity of the Battery was analysed using association statistics with the demographic, clinical, and function data.

The reference values showed a poor performance in women, and a gradually poorer performance through the three age groups. The SPPB was significantly associated (P < 0.01) with age, sex, number of drugs taken, morbidity, body mass index, dependency in basic activities of daily living (BADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) for health reasons, the 10-item Physical Functioning Scale (PF-10), depression and health perception.

The reference values of the complete SPPB by age and sex are provided, based category scores in Primary Care patients 70 years-old and over. The Battery results can give a rapid and valid assessment of the functional state of elderly patient in Primary Care.