Prospective nursing care certification using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Locomotive syndrome poses a significant risk to elderly individuals' independence.
• Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing locomotive syndrome.
• The Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) is a screening tool for locomotive syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive ability of the GLFS-25 for nursing care certification in Japanese adults aged 65 and older.
• To determine if the GLFS-25 can identify individuals likely to require nursing care within a six-year period.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving 531 Japanese adults (≥65 years) without prior nursing care certification.
• Baseline data collection included the GLFS-25 and physical examination in 2012.
• Nursing care certification status was tracked from 2013 to 2018.

Main Results:

• 114 participants (21.4%) received nursing care certification, and 29 died during the study period.
• Individuals requiring nursing care had significantly higher GLFS-25 scores (mean 17.8) compared to those who did not (mean 8.7).
• A GLFS-25 cutoff score of 12.5 demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.658 and specificity of 0.760 (AUC=0.736).

Conclusions:

• The GLFS-25 is effective in the early detection of individuals with locomotive syndrome at higher risk of needing nursing care.
• A recommended cutoff score of 13 on the GLFS-25 can aid in predicting future nursing care requirements.
• This screening tool facilitates timely interventions to promote healthy aging and independence.