Correlates of Functional Limitations in Midlife: A Cross-Sectional Study in Middle-Aged Men (45-59 Years) from Pune

The present article aims to determine the correlates of functional limitation in middle-aged men (45-59 years age) in the slums of Pune, India.

A total of 553 community-dwelling middle-aged men were randomly selected from the study area. Data on demographic characteristics, health-related conditions, and social and psychological determinants of health were collected using a pretested, structured questionnaire. Functional ability was assessed using the Pune-Functional Ability Assessment Tool. Univariate analyses and bivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to examine the associations between various correlates and functional limitations.

A total of 55.2% of the respondents displayed functional limitations. Univariate analysis identified significant correlates of functional limitations, which were increasing age, nature of the occupation, presence of chronic diseases, self-reported aches and pains, vision problems, previous hospital admission, and stress. Binary logistic regression displayed the higher odds of having functional decline in men with age above 55 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.592; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.597-4.207), unskilled occupation (OR = 1.681; 95% CI = 1.050-2.692), chronic disease (OR = 2.608; 95% CI = 1.553-4.378), and reporting aches and pains (OR = 6.605; 95% CI = 3.732-11.689) as compared to their counterparts.

This study has identified the magnitude of functional decline and its risk factors for midlife men. These study findings suggest that men having several risk factors should be monitored to protect against accelerated functional loss. These findings are important because functional decline has implications on older adult's health and disease conditions. A better understanding of these factors will help to develop health promotion interventions for men in midlife.