Coimpairments as Predictors of Severe Walking Disability in Older Women

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.49005.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T05:33:35Z
• Authors: Taina Rantanen; Jack M. Guralnik; Luigi Ferrucci; Brenda W. J. H. P...; Suzanne Leveille; Sarianna Sipilä; Linda P. Fried
• Keywords: Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Time Factors; Knee Joint; Incidence; Posture; Comorbidity; Walking; 3. Good health; Disability Evaluation; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Gait; Postural Balance; Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Muscle Contraction

Severe disabilities are common among older people who have impairments in a range of physiologic systems. It is not known, however, whether the presence multiple impairments, or coimpairments, associated with increased risk developing new disability. The aim this study was to determine combined effects two decreased knee-extension strength and poor standing balance, on severe walking disability older, moderately-to-severely disabled women did at baseline.The Women's Health Aging Study 3-year prospective 6 semi-annual follow-up data-collection rounds following baseline.At baseline, balance tests took place participants' homes.758 were severely baseline.Severe defined as customary speed < 0.4 meters/second inability walk one quarter mile, being unable walk.Over course study, 173 became walking. cumulative incidence from first sixth was: 7.8%, 12.0%, 15.1% 19.5% 21.2%, 22.8%. In Cox proportional hazards models, both significant predictors best category, rates expressed per 100 person years 3.1, 6.1, 5.3 highest- lowest-strength tertiles. middle 9.6, 13.2, 14.7, poorest category 21.6, 12.7, 37.1, correspondingly. relative (RR) onset adjusted for age, height, weight, race more than five times greater group (RR 5.12, 95% confidence limit [95% CI] 2.68-9.80) compared (the reference group). Among those had strength, RR 3.08 (95% CI 1.33-7.14). 0.97 0.49-1.93), group.The coimpairments powerful predictor new, disability, an underlying cause dependence people. Substantial reduction could be achieved even if interventions successful correcting only because deficit system may compensated by good capacity another system.