Citation

Deshpande N, Metter EJ, Guralnik JM, Bandinelli S, Ferrucci L. Age Ageing 2014; 43(1): 64-69.

Affiliation

School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/ageing/aft135

PMID

24042004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to identify sensorimotor and psychosocial determinants of 3-year incident mobility disability. DESIGN: prospective.

SETTING: population-based sample of community-dwelling older persons.Participants: community-living middle-aged and older persons (age: 50-85 years) without baseline mobility disability (n = 622).

MEASUREMENTS: mobility disability, defined as self-reported inability to walk a quarter mile without resting or inability to walk up a flight of stairs unsupported, was ascertained at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Potential baseline determinant characteristics included demographics, education, social support, financial condition, knee extensor strength, visual contrast sensitivity, cognition, depression, presence of chronic conditions and history of falls.

RESULTS: a total of 13.5% participant reported 3-year incident mobility disability. Age ≥75 years, female sex, knee extensor strength in the lowest quartile, visual contrast sensitivity <1.7 on the Pelli-Robson chart or significant depressive symptoms (CESD score >16) were independent determinants of 3-year incident mobility disability (ORs 1.84-16.51).

CONCLUSIONS: low visual contrast sensitivity, poor knee extensor strength and significant depressive symptoms are independent determinants of future onset of mobility disability.

Language: en