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Walking Speed and Mortality: An Updated Systematic Review
Irene Rosmaninho1, Pedro Ribeirinho-Soares1, José Pedro L Nunes1
1From the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, and the Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal.
Southern Medical Journal
|November 3, 2021
Summary
Slow walking speed (WS) is a consistent predictor of mortality. This systematic review confirms WS as a valuable tool for improving patient healthcare outcomes and risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Walking speed (WS) is a readily measurable physiological indicator.
- Previous studies suggest an association between slower WS and increased mortality risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and update evidence on the association between slow walking speed and all-cause mortality.
- To evaluate the utility of WS as a predictor in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature.
- Searches conducted on PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases.
- Inclusion of 61 articles representing 120,838 patients and over 25,148 deaths.
Main Results:
- Consistent association found between slower walking speed and increased mortality from all causes.
- Follow-up durations in included studies ranged from 2 to 21 years.
- Data synthesis from 61 studies confirmed WS as a significant mortality predictor.
Conclusions:
- Walking speed is a reliable and continuous predictor of mortality.
- Supports the integration of WS measurement into routine clinical practice for enhanced healthcare.
- WS offers a simple yet effective tool for patient risk stratification.
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