Fatigability in basic indoor mobility in nonagenarians.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and associated health factors of indoor mobility-related fatigability in nonagenarians.


METHODS
A cross-sectional observational study of all Danes born in 1905 and assessed in 1998.


METHODS
Community, sheltered housing and nursing homes.


METHODS
Individuals aged 92 and 93 (N = 1,181) who were independent of help in basic indoor mobility.


METHODS
Fatigability in basic indoor mobility was defined as a subjective feeling of fatigue when transferring or walking indoors. Other standardized assessments include self-report measures of medical history and performance-based assessments of walking speed and maximum handgrip strength.


RESULTS
Twenty-six percent of participants reported fatigability when transferring or walking indoors; fatigability was more common in participants living in sheltered housing (32%) than in those living independently (23%, P < .001). Cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal pain, medications, walking speed, and depressive symptoms were independently associated with fatigability.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigability in basic everyday mobility is common in nondisabled nonagenarians. The results also indicate important associations between fatigability and potentially modifiable health factors.
Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, , University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. mrma@sund.ku.dk
Minna
M
Mänty
Anette
A
Ekmann
Mikael
M
Thinggaard
Kaare
K
Christensen
Kirsten
K
Avlund
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012307:Risk Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology