Declining physical abilities with age: a cross-sectional study of older twins and centenarians in Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether physical disability reaches a plateau in the oldest age groups.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
A total of 3351 individuals, which included all those living in Denmark who celebrated their 100th anniversary during the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 May 1996 (276 subjects) and all Danish twins aged 75-94 registered in the Danish Twin Register (3075 subjects).


METHODS
The ability to perform selected items of basic activities of daily living independently.


RESULTS
The prevalence of independence in each of six selected activities of daily living was significantly lower in both men and women centenarians compared with octo- and septuagenarians. The sex difference in independence in all six selected activities of daily living was larger for each advancing age group, with women being most disabled (P < 0.001). In centenarians 20% of women and 44% of men were able to perform all selected activities of daily living independently.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with individuals aged 75-79 years, physical abilities of men and women gradually diminished in age groups 80-84, 85-90 and 90-94, with the lowest levels among 100-year-olds. Although women have lower mortality, they are more disabled than men, and this difference is more marked with advancing age.
Andersen-Ranberg
K
K
Ageing Research Centre and Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, Odense, Denmark. K-Ranberg@win-chs.sdu.dk
Christensen
K
K
Jeune
B
B
Skytthe
A
A
Vasegaard
L
L
Vaupel
J W
JW
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014427:Twins