Associations between chronic conditions, body functions, activity limitations and participation restrictions: a cross-sectional approach in Spanish non-clinical populations.
To analyse the relationships between chronic conditions, body functions, activity limitations and participation restrictions in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.



A cross-sectional study.



2 geographical areas in the Autonomous Region of Aragon, Spain, namely, a rural area, Cinco Villas, and an urban area in the city of Zaragoza.



864 individuals selected by simple random sampling from the register of Social Security card holders, aged 50 years and over, positive to disability screening.



ICF Checklist-body function domains, WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0, 36-item (WHODAS-36)) global scores and medical diagnoses (chronic conditions) from primary care records.



Mild disability (WHODAS-36 level 5-24%) was present in 51.5% of the sample. In the adjusted ordinal regression model with WHODAS-36 as the dependent variable, disability was substantially associated with moderate-to-complete impairment in the following functions: mental, OR 212.8 (95% CI 72 to 628.9); neuromusculoskeletal, OR 44.8 (24.2 to 82.8); and sensory and pain, OR 6.3 (3.5 to 11.2). In the relationship between health conditions and body function impairments, the strongest links were seen for: dementia with mental functions, OR 50.6 (25.1 to 102.1); cerebrovascular disease with neuromusculoskeletal function, OR 5.8 (3.5 to 9.7); and chronic renal failure with sensory function and pain, OR 3.0 (1.49 to 6.4). Dementia, OR 8.1 (4.4 to 14.7) and cerebrovascular disease, OR 4.1 (2.7 to 6.4) were associated with WHODAS-36 scores.



Body functions are heterogeneously linked to limitations in activities and restrictions on participation, with the highest impact being due to mental and musculoskeletal functions. This may be relevant for disability assessment and intervention design, particularly if defined on a body function basis. Control of specific health conditions, such as dementia and cerebrovascular disease, appears to be paramount in reducing disability among persons aged 50 years and over.
National Centre for Epidemiology and Consortium for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/CIBERNED), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Carmen
C
Rodríguez-Blázquez
National Centre for Epidemiology and Consortium for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/CIBERNED), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Javier
J
Damián
Admissions Department, Gómez Ulla Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
María José
MJ
Andrés-Prado
National Centre for Epidemiology and Consortium for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/CIBERNED), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Javier
J
Almazán-Isla
National Centre for Epidemiology and Consortium for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/CIBERNED), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Enrique
E
Alcalde-Cabero
National School of Public Health and Health Service Research Network for Chronic Diseases (Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas/REDISSEC), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Maria João
MJ
Forjaz
National School of Occupational Medicine, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Juan Manuel
JM
Castellote
Health Technology Assessment Agency, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Jesús
J
González-Enríquez
National Centre for Epidemiology and Consortium for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/CIBERNED), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Pablo
P
Martínez-Martín
School of Health Sciences, Zaragoza University, Zaragoza, Spain.
Magdalena
M
Comín
National Centre for Epidemiology and Consortium for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/CIBERNED), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Jesús
J
de Pedro-Cuesta
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D057189:Checklist; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
Autonomy; Disability; Functioning