Tiredness and subsequent disability in older adults: The role of walking limitations.
BACKGROUND
The purposes of the present study are to analyze whether tiredness in daily activities is associated with subsequent disability among nondisabled older adults and whether this association is mediated by walking limitations.


METHODS
The investigation is based on baseline and follow-up data on 419 nondisabled 75-year-old persons in Jyväskylä, Finland, and Glostrup, Denmark. Onset of disability was measured by a validated scale based on seven items: combing hair, washing upper body, washing lower body, using the toilet, dressing upper body, dressing lower body, and cutting fingernails. Tiredness was measured by a validated scale based on the following items: using the toilet, washing and dressing lower body, and cutting toenails. Maximal walking speed was assessed by a 10-meter test.


RESULTS
Tiredness in daily activities was significantly associated with subsequent disability when adjusted for walking limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
The present findings indicate that it is important to take it seriously when older persons complain about tiredness, as these people are at higher risk of onset of disability.
Avlund
Kirsten
K
Department of Social Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. k.avlund@socmed.ku.dk
Rantanen
Taina
T
Schroll
Marianne
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*