Physical function measurements predict mortality in ambulatory older men

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Preventive Medicine
• Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

• Physical function measurements (PFMs) are crucial for assessing health in older adults.
• Predictive value of PFMs for all-cause mortality requires further investigation.
• The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) potential in comorbid older individuals needs evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the predictive power of various PFMs for all-cause mortality in older men.
• To specifically assess the TUG's predictive value in older men with comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• An observational study included 352 ambulatory men aged 71-86.
• PFMs including TUG, grip strength, and balance were measured at baseline.
• Cox proportional hazard analyses assessed associations with all-cause mortality over 15 years, controlling for confounders.

Main Results:

• All assessed PFMs predicted all-cause mortality.
• The TUG demonstrated the strongest predictive value (adjusted HR = 1.58 per SD increase).
• TUG remained a significant predictor in men with cardiovascular disease (adjusted HR = 1.80 per SD increase).

Conclusions:

• Physical functioning assessment is vital for older individuals.
• The TUG is a reliable, quick, and feasible screening tool for clinical use.
• TUG's predictive ability extends to older men with cardiovascular disease.