Health of community-dwelling adults with mobility limitations in the United States: incidence of secondary health conditions. Part II.
OBJECTIVE
To compare incident health conditions that occurred over a 2-year period in nationally representative groups of adults with mobility, nonmobility, and no limitations.


METHODS
Data were collected prospectively from a probability subsample of households that represent the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population.


METHODS
Five rounds of household interviews were conducted over 2 years.


METHODS
Data were analyzed on the same respondents from the 1996-1997 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and the 1995 National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement. Respondents were categorized into 3 groups for analysis; those with mobility limitations, nonmobility limitations, and no limitations. The analytic sample included 12,302 MEPS adults (>/=18y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Number, types, and 2-year incidence of self-reported health conditions compared across groups.


RESULTS
The mean number of incident conditions (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) over the 2-year period was greatest in adults with mobility limitations (mean, 4.7; 95% CI, 4.4-4.9) compared with those with nonmobility limitations (mean, 3.9; 95% CI, 3.7-4.2) or no limitations (mean, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.5-2.7). Incident conditions affected most major body systems.


CONCLUSIONS
Because secondary conditions are potentially preventable, determining factors that influence their occurrence is an important public health issue requiring specific action.
Rasch
Elizabeth K
EK
Clinical Research Center, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. RaschE@cc.nih.gov
Magder
Larry
L
Hochberg
Marc C
MC
Magaziner
Jay
J
Altman
Barbara M
BM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003710:Demography; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology