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Joint impairment and self-reported disability in elderly persons
S L Hughes1, P L Edelman, R H Singer
1Center for Health Services and Policy Research, Northwestern University.
Journal of Gerontology
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Arthritis significantly contributes to disability in older adults. Physical joint assessments and pain levels are key indicators of this disability, highlighting the importance of musculoskeletal health in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rheumatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous studies linking arthritis to elderly disability relied on self-reported data.
- Objective assessment of joint health is crucial for understanding disability in older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between objectively measured joint impairment, arthritis pain, and overall disability in elderly individuals.
- To identify key predictors of disability in the aging population, focusing on musculoskeletal factors.
Main Methods:
- Physical joint examinations were conducted on 541 older adults at baseline.
- A multivariate model incorporating demographic, chronic disease (joint impairment, comorbidities), arthritis pain, and psychological status was analyzed.
- Hierarchical multiple regression was employed to determine variance explained in baseline disability.
Main Results:
- The multivariate model explained 55% of the variance in baseline disability.
- Joint impairment independently accounted for 15% of the variance in disability.
- Arthritis pain emerged as a significant surrogate for joint impairment when impairment was removed from the model.
Conclusions:
- Musculoskeletal conditions, including joint impairment and arthritis pain, are critical determinants of disability in the elderly.
- Objective physical assessments provide valuable insights into disability beyond self-reported data.
- Targeting arthritis pain and joint health is essential for mitigating disability in older adults.