Associations of Objective and Subjective Physical Function With Quality of Life and Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional...

Although physical functions are associated with quality of life and well-being, research on objective and subjective measures in older adults is limited. This study examines the relationship between objective and subjective physical functions with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and well-being in a sample of Iranian older adults.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on data from 3,480 participants in the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA). Physical function was assessed by objective (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and Timed Up and Go (TUG)) and subjective methods (Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and Physical Activity (PA). HRQoL was measured using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which provided Physical and Mental Component Summary scores (PCS and MCS). Psychological well-being was evaluated using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

After adjusting for confounders, the higher SPPB score (β = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.43), high TUG score (β = -3.21; 95% CI: -4.02 to -2.40), limitations in ADL (β = -4.97; 95% CI: -5.05 to -3.21) and IADL (β = -6.27; 95% CI: -7.16 to -5.37), and low levels of PA were associated with the PCS. Only ADL (β = -1.25; 95% CI: -2.18 to -0.31) and low levels of PA showed significant associations with MCS. Logistic regression further indicated that all physical function measures; SPPB score (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.89-0.96), TUG (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.10-1.71), ADL (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.31-2.18), IADL (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.43-2.36), and PA level, were significantly associated with psychological well-being.

The results emphasize the important role of both objective assessments and subjective evaluations of physical function in understanding and promoting health in older adults.