Predictors of functional capacity in elderly Finnish men; a path analysis

Factors predicting functional capacity in 1984 in men aged 65-84 years were studied by path analysis in 716 men from eastern and southwestern Finland as part of the 25 year follow up of the East-West Study i.e., the Finnish part of the Seven Countries Study. The variables selected to predict functional capacity were measured in 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974 and 1984. Diastolic blood pressure levels explained more of the variation in future functional capacity than did those of systolic blood pressure. Body mass index explained more of the variation in the future functional capacity in the east than in the south west. Serum cholesterol concentration and smoking habits were not associated with future functional capacity, accounting for only up to 10.7% and 4% of the variation in functional capacity in old age in the east and the south west respectively. There are area differences between the predictors of functional capacity, but a single health or health practice variable plays little part in the variation in functional capacity.