Newly reported chronic conditions and onset of functional dependency.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between newly reported chronic conditions and subsequent functional dependency in older adults.


METHODS
Three-year cohort study.


METHODS
United States.


METHODS
A national sample of Americans age 65 and older (N=4,968) who participated in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.


METHODS
Self-reports of new physician diagnoses between baseline and 12 months and functional dependency onset at 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up. Functional dependency is defined as needing help with or being unable to perform one or more activities of daily living or residence in a long-term care facility.


RESULTS
After 12 months of follow-up, 29.8% of participants reported one or more newly diagnosed conditions, increasing to 48.7% at 24 months and 61.3% at 36 months. Number of newly reported conditions was associated with greater probability of functional dependency; this association was strongest at 12 months. The odds of becoming functionally dependent were nearly twice as great in participants who reported one new chronic condition (odds ratio (OR)=1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.3-2.8), more than four times as great in those who reported two new chronic conditions (OR=4.3, 95%=CI 2.7-6.9), and 13 times as great in those who reported three or more new chronic conditions (OR=13.0, 95%=CI 6.5-26.3) as in those who reported no new chronic conditions. Newly reported dementia, stroke, psychological disorders, low body mass index, and obesity were significantly and consistently related to functional dependency throughout all 3 years of observation (OR=2.1-14.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study demonstrate the strong relationship between newly diagnosed chronic conditions and functional dependency and highlight the potential benefit of prevention in older adults.
Wolff
Jennifer L
JL
Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care, Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. jwolff@jhsph.edu
Boult
Chad
C
Boyd
Cynthia
C
Anderson
Gerard
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male