title: Comorbidity and physical function: results from the aging and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical function measures have gained increased importance in the evaluation of older persons. The presence of comorbidity is a major and growing issue in geriatrics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between comorbidity and physical function in community-dwelling older persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE study (n = 364). Physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the 4-meter walking test. Muscle strength was measured by hand-grip strength. Functional performance was assessed using Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADLs and IADLs, respectively). Comorbidity was defined as >or=3 clinical conditions. Analyses of covariance and linear regressions were performed to evaluate the relationship between comorbidity and physical function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of participants was 85.9 (SD = 4.9) years. About one third (37.4%) of participants reported >or=3 clinical conditions. Participants with comorbidity had significantly worse results in all the physical function tests. Participants with comorbidity had significantly lower adjusted results for the 4-meter walking test (0.444 m/s) and the SPPB score (6.131) compared to those without comorbidity (0.531 m/s and 7.221; all p = 0.001, respectively). Participants with comorbidity were more IADL-impaired (3.152) than participants without comorbidity (2.767; p = 0.04). No significant association of ADLs and hand-grip strength with comorbidity was reported. Similar strengths of association for the 4-meter walking test (per SD increase, beta = -0.280; p = 0.001) and the SPPB (per SD increase, beta = -0.285; p = 0.001) with comorbidity were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical function measures, especially walking speed and SPPB, are associated with comorbidity. Physical performance measures may improve the clinical evaluation of older persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. mcesari@aging.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cesari
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Onder
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zamboni
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barillaro
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pahor
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernabei
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Landi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology