Relationship between the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale and physical function in the elderly people

Area of Science:

• Geriatric medicine
• Mobility assessment
• Functional decline

Background:

• Locomotive syndrome (LS) is characterized by reduced mobility in older adults.
• LS staging is crucial for intervention and can be assessed using the stand-up test, two-step test, and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the GLFS-25 reliably stages locomotive syndrome.
• To clarify the correlation between the GLFS-25's six subcategories and specific physical functions.

Main Methods:

• Administered the GLFS-25 to 103 participants over 65 years old.
• Evaluated physical functions including stand-up test, two-step test, handgrip strength, five-times sit-to-stand, 4m walk, and single leg standing duration.
• Analyzed correlations between LS stage, GLFS-25 scores, and physical functions with GLFS-25 subcategories.

Main Results:

• A discrepancy exists between LS stages determined by GLFS-25 alone versus comprehensive testing.
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified cut-off values for LS stages (6 for 0/1, 14 for 1/2) with AUCs of 0.78 and 0.81.
• Movement difficulty, usual care, ADL, and social activities subcategories correlated with mobility; body pain and cognitive subcategories did not.

Conclusions:

• The GLFS-25 is effective for screening severe locomotive syndrome.
• Precise LS staging requires evaluation of actual physical function, especially for individuals with low GLFS-25 scores.
• Body pain and cognitive subcategories of the GLFS-25 are independent of other domains related to mobility.