The relationship between physical performance and cardiac function in an elderly Russian cohort

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiac dysfunction prevalence and its association with physical performance and mortality in elderly populations require further investigation.
• Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted interventions in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine cardiac dysfunction prevalence in an elderly Russian population.
• To investigate the relationship between the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and echocardiographic parameters.
• To ascertain if SPPB scores and cardiac dysfunction independently predict mortality.

Main Methods:

• A random sample of 284 community-dwelling adults aged 65+ in Russia.
• Assessment of Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores, echocardiography, and all-cause mortality.
• Multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of mortality.

Main Results:

• Cardiac dysfunction prevalence was 12% (65-74 years) and 23% (≥75 years).
• Cardiac dysfunction predicted mortality in both age groups (HR 4.9 and 3.4, respectively).
• Poor physical performance independently predicted mortality in the oldest group (HR 4.2).

Conclusions:

• Cardiac dysfunction is prevalent in elderly Russians and a significant mortality predictor.
• Physical performance is an independent mortality predictor in the oldest elderly.
• Correlations between echocardiographic findings and SPPB scores were limited in this population.