RISK FACTORS FOR SLOW GAIT SPEED: A NESTED CASE-CONTROL SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF THE MEXICAN HEALTH AND AGING STUDY

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical performance tests are crucial in geriatric assessment.
• Gait speed is a predictor of adverse outcomes in older adults.
• Risk factors for slow gait speed (slowness) require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors associated with slowness in Mexican older adults.
• To establish cut-off values for gait speed in this population.

Main Methods:

• A two-step approach was used: determining gait speed cut-offs and conducting a nested cohort case-control study.
• Usual gait speed was measured using a 4-meter test.
• Logistic regression models analyzed sociodemographic, comorbidity, psychological, and healthcare variables.

Main Results:

• Age, diabetes, hypertension, and a history of fractures were significantly associated with the development of slow gait speed.
• These factors were identified through unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses.

Conclusions:

• Early identification of individuals at risk for slow gait speed is vital.
• Intervention may prevent disability and functional decline, given the strong link between gait speed and physical performance.