Article

The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of self-reported decline in
weight, exhaustion, walking difficulty, grip strength and physical activity on
development of disabilities in community-dwelling elderly people. Design: A
one-year follow-up study. Setting: Participants were recruited via four Dutch
general practitioners. Participants: Community-dwelling elderly people aged 70
years or older. Methods: A total of 687 participants received a questionnaire at
baseline regarding weight loss, exhaustion, walking difficulty, grip strength,
physical activity and disability. The same questionnaire was sent to them after
one year follow-up. Disability was operationalized in two ways: as increased
dependence and as increased difficulty in daily activities. Univariate and
multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether
self-reported decline in five physical indicators at baseline predicted
development of dependence or increased difficulty in daily activities after one
year. The analyses were controlled for age, gender and baseline disability.
Results: Four hundred and one participants with a mean age of 76.9 years (SD 5.2)
were included in the analyses. Eighty-four of them reported increased dependence
(21%) and 76 reported increased difficulty (19%) in daily activities at one-year
follow-up. All physical indicators, except weight loss, were significant
univariate predictors of disability. Multivariate analyses revealed that
self-reported decrease in physical activity (e.g. walking, cycling, gardening)
was a significant predictor of development of dependence (odds ratio (OR) = 1.89,
95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-3.51) and development of difficulty (OR =
1.98, 95% CI = 1.05-3.71) in daily activities. Conclusion: Community-dwelling
elderly people who report decreased physical activity have a higher risk to
develop disability at one-year follow-up.

Langue : ANGLAIS