Risk factors for functional decline in nonagenarians: a one-year follow-up. The NonaSantfeliu study.
BACKGROUND
Disability and a decline in functional capacity are common in old age.


OBJECTIVE
To determine predictors of functional decline in nonagenarians' basic activities of daily living (ADL) after 1 year of follow-up.


METHODS
A sample of 97 nonagenarians subjects not previously severely dependent (Barthel Index >59) was evaluated. This sample included 72 women (74.2%) and the mean (SD) age was 93.4 +/- 2.7 years. The following data were collected: sociodemographic data, Barthel Index (BI), Lawton-Brody Index (LI), Mental State Examination (MEC), a short version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, comorbidity (Charlson Index), lower-extremity function, Gait Rating Scale from the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Scale and prevalent chronic diseases. Subjects who had a 10-point or higher decline in the BI in 1 year were compared to subjects who had no decline or a maximum decline of 9 points. In addition, subjects whose total BI score fell below 60 were compared to the group of subjects who maintained scores between 60 and 100. The Student's t test, the chi(2) or the Fisher's exact test, and a multiple logistic regression analysis (with the identified risk factors of age and gender) were performed.


RESULTS
39 nonagenarians experienced a 10-point or higher decline in the BI in 1 year. A lower LI score (p = 0.003) and visual impairment (p = 0.01) were associated with functional decline. The multiple regression analysis showed that there was a significant association with LI (odds ratio (OR) 0.74, confidence interval 95% 0.60-0.91, p < 0.005). The 18 nonagenarians who had a BI <60 had a BI >60 at baseline. Lower scores on the LI (p = 0.004) and on the MEC (p = 0.01), a history of a previous stroke (p = 0.009) and higher Charlson Index scores (p = 0.03) were associated with recently acquired, severe dependency. A multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between LI (OR 0.65, 0.47-0.89, p < 0.008) and a history of previous strokes (OR 3.39, 1.01-11.34, p < 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
According to the definition used to describe functional basic ADL decline, poor performance in instrumental ADL at baseline and a history of a stroke appear to be independent risk factors. Prevention strategies could be intensified in this subgroup of nonagenarians.
Formiga
Francesc
F
Geriatric Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. fformiga@csub.scs.es
Ferrer
Assumpta
A
Pérez-Castejon
Juan Manel
JM
Olmedo
Claudia
C
Pujol
Ramón
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain