Incidence of functional limitation in older adults: the impact of gender, race, and chronic conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relation of chronic conditions, gender, and race to the incidence of activities of daily living (ADLs) limitation in older adults.


METHODS
The 2-year cumulative incidence of functional limitation was estimated from survival analysis methods by using elders without baseline functional limitations.


METHODS
Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA). Initial interviews: 1984; reinterviews: 1986, 1988, and 1990.


METHODS
A total of 4205 elderly subjects from the LSOA.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS



METHODS
self-reported moderate (1-2 ADLs) and severe (> or =3 ADLs) functional limitation.


METHODS
sociodemographics, self-reported chronic conditions, and prior levels of functional limitation.


RESULTS
Gender and race predicted moderate functional limitation onset, after controlling for age and education. Arthritis, diabetes, prior cerebrovascular disease (CVD), incontinence, and impaired vision were significant predictors of moderate functional limitation onset after controlling for demographics. Differences in the prevalence of chronic conditions appear to explain why moderate functional limitation incidence rates are higher in older women and blacks. Gender, but not race, predicted onset of severe functional limitation, after controlling for age and education. Prior moderate functional limitation, CVD, and vision impairment predicted onset of severe functional limitation after controlling for demographics.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of functional decline should target chronic conditions and moderate functional limitation in older adults.
Dunlop
Dorothy D
DD
Institute for Health Services Research and Policy Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston IL 60208, USA. ddunlop@northwestern.edu
Manheim
Larry M
LM
Sohn
Min-Woong
MW
Liu
Xiangyang
X
Chang
Rowland W
RW
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D044469:Racial Groups; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors