[Predictive factors of physical disability in a cohort of retired persons in Paris followed during 10 years].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to examine predictors of physical disability in a survey of retired men and women living in the Paris area followed-up longitudinally for 10 years.


METHODS
Subjects were randomly selected in a supplementary retirement pension fund. In all 627 subjects took part in the first phase of the survey (1982-83) and 392 in the follow-up phase (1992-93). At the 10-year follow-up, there were 185 confirmed deaths and 50 subjects refused to participate or could not be traced. Physical disability was measured by difficulties reported by the subjects for seven basic activities of daily life. Possible predictors, socio-demographic, impairments, physical activities, working conditions during working life were explored at T1.


RESULTS
The incidence of physical disability was 41.4% for men and 57.6% for women. For disability in mobility, the incidence was 37.1% for men and 54.7% for women. In multivariate analysis, predictors of physical disability were social category (clerks), no physical activities, use of medicine, mental impairment. The predictors of disability in mobility were sex (women), social category (clerks), use of medicine, cardio-respiratory and sensory impairments. On the contrary, subjects with mental impairment had a lower incidence of disability in mobility than subjects without mental impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm the two poles of disability: biomedical and social. Working conditions during working life do not seem to play a direct part in incidence of disability at ten years follow-up.
Cassou
B
B
Laboratoire Santé-Vieillissement, Université René Descartes, UFR Paris-Ouest, Hôpital Sainte-Périne.
Derriennic
F
F
Monfort
C
C
Iwatsubo
Y
Y
Amphoux
M
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations; D010297:Paris; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015995:Prevalence; D012179:Retirement; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors