title: Physical Activity and Other Determinants of Survival in the Oldest Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of physical activity as a possible survival determinant in the oldest adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Pianoro Study of community-dwelling older adults in three towns in northern Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Noninstitutionalized individuals aged 85 and older (n = 500; mean age 89.6 ± 3.1, 65% female).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants provided information on marital status, educational level, previous work activity, cardiovascular risk factors, previous cardiovascular events, self-rated health, joint pain, and functional status. Physical activity was quantified using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Seven-year mortality was known for all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 7 years of follow-up, 365 subjects died. According to Cox proportional hazards regression, the following factors were found to be independently associated with mortality: PASE score (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.987, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.981-0.993, P < .001), male sex (HR = 1.642, 95% CI = 1.411-2.068, P < .001), age in years (HR = 1.077, 95% CI = 1.040-1.116, P < .001), previous stroke (HR = 1.908, 95% CI = 1.362-2.673, P < .001), poor self care (HR = 1.662, 95% CI = 1.231-2.246, P < .001), neck pain (HR = 0.649, 95% CI = 0.497-0.849, P = .002), self rated health (HR = 0.991, 95% CI = 0.985-0.997, P = .002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the oldest adults, accurate quantification of physical activity may provide important prognostic information. The predictive value of cardiovascular risk factors, except age, male sex, and prior stroke, was confirmed to be negligible. An unexpected inverse association between neck pain and mortality may require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muscari
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giovagnoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Magalotti
authors.affiliation: Epidemiological and Health Promotion Unit, Department of Public Health, AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pandolfi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zoli
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: determinants; mortality; oldest adults; physical activity; risk factors; survival