Patterns of Functional Impairment over Time Amongst Older Men-the Manitoba Follow-up Study

To determine the incidence and prevalence patterns of activity of daily living (ADL) impairments in ageing men.

3,983 men were enrolled in the Manitoba Follow-up Study (MFUS) cohort study in 1948. From 1996 onwards, functional status was measured. We classified basic (BADL) and instrumental (IADL) into mutually exclusive categories as a time dependant factor after the second survey wave as: First survey response; no limitation; incident (first episode of disability); persistent (limitation which was seen on all questionnaires after the incident episode); resilient (noted in previous surveys but not present); and recurrent (noted in present survey, and limitations noted as present and absent in previous surveys).

There were 1,745 participants in 1996 at a mean age of 76 years. Incident BADL limitations increased substantially with age: from 1% at age 75 to 15% at age 95. Similarly, persistent limitations increased with age: from 0.4% at age 75 to 18% at age 95. However, BADL function was fluid, with many individuals grouped within the resilient and recurrent patterns. Similar age effects and variability were noted in IADLs.

New and persistent disabilities are highly associated with age. However, there is considerable change in functional status over time.