The disabling effect of diseases: a study on trends in diseases, activity limitations, and their interrelationships

Individual Sleep Problems Are Associated With an Accelerated Decline in Multiple Cognitive Functions in Older Adults

Poor sleep is a known risk factor of cognitive disorders, but the role of individual sleep problems in age-related cognitive changes remains unclear. This study used two complementary statistical models to estimate nonlinear trajectories of decline in four domains of cognitive functioning in the age period between 55 and 100 years depending on the severity of problems with falling asleep, night awakenings, and early morning awakenings, and short/long sleep duration. The sample included 5132 older adults (M = 67 years, 48% male) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), assessed 4-10 times every 2-3 years. Sleep problems were self-reported, and cognitive functioning was measured with the 15-Word test (reflecting episodic memory as immediate and delayed recall), Coding task (information processing speed) and Mini-mental State Examination/MMSE (global cognition). Data were analysed using quadratic and piecewise changepoint mixed models. The piecewise models provided more precise and interpretable findings. Decline in information processing speed accelerated significantly earlier in participants with short sleep duration (regression coefficient (B) = -2.3[95% confidence interval (CI): -3.86; -0.81]; p < 0.01) and faster with more severe early morning awakenings (B = -0.07 [-0.1; -0.03]; p < 0.01). Decline in immediate recall accelerated earlier in those with short sleep (B = -2.8 [-4.44; -1.14]; p < 0.01) and severe problems with falling asleep (B = -1.22 [-2.06; -0.39]; p = 0.01). Decline in delayed recall was faster with long sleep (B = -0.06 [-0.08;-0.03]; p < 0.01). Decline in global cognition accelerated faster in those with short/long sleep duration (B = -0.07 [-0.13; -0.01]/-0.10 [-0.18; -0.03]; p < 0.01) and severe night awakenings (B = -0.04 [-0.07;-0.02]; p < 0.01). To conclude, this study showed that some sleep problems can differentially predict earlier acceleration of deterioration in specific cognitive functions in older adults.

Trends in disability in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living among Chinese older adults from 2011 to 2018

AIM

This study aimed to assess the trends in disabilities in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) among older Chinese adults and explore the influence of multimorbidity and unhealthy behaviors on ADL/IADL disability over time.

METHODS

Data were obtained from four waves (2011-2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Disability in ADL/IADL was defined as inability to perform any ADL/IADL task. Latent class analysis was used to identify multimorbidity patterns. The generalized estimating equation was used to test disability trends. Logistic regression was used to investigate the factors influencing disability.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IADL and ADL disability showed significant increasing trends among older Chinese adults from 2011 to 2018 (ptrend < 0.001). The negative association between alcohol intake more than once per month and IADL disability strengthened over time (ptrend < 0.05). The influence of the "arthritis/digestive diseases" pattern, "cardiometabolic disease" pattern and "high multimorbidity" pattern on ADL disability weakened over time (ptrend < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of IADL and ADL disability among Chinese older adults increased over time. The "arthritis/digestive diseases" pattern, "cardiometabolic disease" pattern and "high multimorbidity" pattern appeared to be less disabling in ADL over time. Improving the prevention and treatment of multimorbidity and developing age-friendly living conditions could be helpful to reduce the risks of disability.

An exploratory study on the application of screening of activity limitation and safety awareness (SALSA) scale for evaluation of activity limitation among elderly

BACKGROUND

Aging poses a significant risk for activity and functional limitations. Problems among aged populations are interrelated, and these problems can lead to other disorders and finally leave a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL) This study used the screening of activity limitation and safety awareness (SALSA) scale to screen and measure activity limitations among the elderly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 928 elderly from the three districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The SALSA scale was administered via a door-to-door interview, and data analysis was carried out. Simple random sampling was used to obtain the study subjects in the selected study area. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were performed to find the association between selected risk factors.

RESULTS

Among the 928 elderly, 53.7% of them were males, 84.9% were between the age of 60 and 69 years, and 31% were 70 years and above. The study found that 66.5% of the elderly have mild activity limitations, 15.7% of them had moderate limitations, 4.8% of them had severe limitations, around 3% of them had extreme limitations, and 10.3% of them had no significant limitations. The binary logistic regression found people of age 65 and above (OR = 3.80), female gender (OR = 2.90), with hypertension (OR = 1.95), vision problem (OR = 1.92), decreased sensation of the foot (OR = 3.41), as the significant independent risk factors for activity limitation among the elderly.

CONCLUSION

The study found self-reported activity limitations among the elderly to be nearly 90%. The SALSA scale may be used as a handy tool to identify the activity limitation in community-based geriatric checkups.

The role of age, sex, and multimorbidity in 7-year change in prevalence of limitations in adults 60-94 years

Recent data suggest a temporal trend in decline in functional limitations in older adults but whether this trend extends to the period after the 8th decade of life remains unclear. We examined change in prevalence of limitations in activities and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL and IADL) between 2008 and 2015 among adults of 60-94 years and the role of age, sex, multimorbidity; we also examined changes in severity of limitations. Data were drawn from two nationally representative surveys in 2008 (n = 13,593) and 2015 (n = 13,267). The 6-item scales of ADL and IADL were each categorized first as ≥ 1 limitations, and then to examine severity as 0, 1-2, and ≥ 3 limitations. Weighted logistic and multinomial regressions were used to estimate prevalence of limitations; the difference between surveys were extracted every 5 years between 60 and 90 years. The prevalence of ≥ 1 ADL declined between 2008 and 2015, from age 75 (- 1.2%; 95%CI = - 2.0, - 0.4%) to age 90 (- 8.8%; 95%CI = - 12.7, - 5.0%). This decline was more pronounced in men than women (p-value for interaction = 0.05) and observed primarily in those with multimorbidity (p-value for interaction = 0.06). Up to 2 ADL limitations declined from age 75 (- 1.0; 95%CI = - 1.7, - 0.3) to 90 (- 6.7; 95%CI = - 9.9, - 3.6) and from age 80 (- 0.6; 95%CI = - 1.1, 0.1) to 85 (- 1.2; 95%CI = - 2.2, - 0.1) for ≥ 3 ADL limitations. There was no substantial change in IADL limitations. These data from a high-income country with universal health care show improvement in ADL even after the 8th decade of life despite increase in multimorbidity.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity and activity limitation: a cross-sectional study of adults using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging data

BACKGROUND

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM) is the diagnosis of 2 or more cardiometabolic conditions. Multimorbidity and individual cardiometabolic conditions have been associated with activity limitation, a common form of disability, but few studies have investigated the association between CM and activity limitation.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of activity limitation among Canadians with CM and to quantify the association between CM and activity limitation.

METHODS

Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of activity limitation among Canadians aged 45-85 (n = 50,777; weighted n = 13,118,474). CM was defined as the diagnosis of 2 or more of diabetes/prediabetes, myocardial infarction, and stroke, and activity limitation was evaluated using the Older Americans Resources and Services scale. Descriptive statistics and logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between CM and activity limitation.

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence of activity limitation among participants living with CM was 27.4% compared with 7.5% with no cardiometabolic conditions. Activity limitation increased in prevalence and severity with the number of cardiometabolic conditions. People with CM had increased odds of activity limitation compared with those without any cardiometabolic conditions (adjusted relative risk ratio = 3.99, 95% confidence interval [3.35-4.75]), and the odds increased with each additional condition. Stroke survivors had greater odds of activity limitation than those without a history of stroke and the same number of cardiometabolic conditions.

CONCLUSION

Activity limitation is common among Canadians living with CM. Odds of activity limitation increase with each additional cardiometabolic condition, especially for stroke survivors.

Changes in the prevalence of chronic disability in China: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVES

Chinese adults are the biggest users of healthcare services, and understanding current trends in disability profiles is relevant to planning healthcare workforce infrastructure. We investigated the trends over time for disability and physical functional limitations from 2011 to 2015 among Chinese adults and identified the factors associated with these limitations.

STUDY DESIGN

We used nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS); the CHARLS participants were followed up every 2 years as they moved from work to retirement with an emphasis on their health status and functional abilities.

METHODS

Participants aged ≥50 years from three waves of the CHARLS were included. Data were collected on physical functioning limitations, disabilities in activities of daily living (ADLs) and disabilities in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Multilevel logistic regression models were used to test for changes and factors associated with limitations and disabilities between 2011 and 2015 adjusting for sociodemographic, medical history and health measures.

RESULTS

There were 44,447 eligible participants (mean age: 63 years; standard deviation [SD], 9 years; 51% female). After adjustment, there was no significant increase in reporting of ADLs or IADLs in the 2015 survey compared with the 2011 survey. After adjustment, there was a 26% significant increase in reporting of physical functioning limitations in the 2015 survey compared with the 2011 survey (odds ratio: 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 1.35). Factors associated with ADL disability were being female, being older, minimal education, no alcohol intake in the previous year, falls, fractured hip, feeling depressed and being obese. Factors associated with IADL disabilities were being female, being older, minimal education and feeling depressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese health agencies should consider the growing need for sufficient community services infrastructure to maximise independence, particularly in the context of ageing populations.

Is the Association Between Late Life Morbidity and Disability Attenuated Over Time? Exploring the Dynamic Equilibrium of Morbidity Hypothesis

OBJECTIVE

There is evidence suggesting that the prevalence of disability in late life has declined over time while the prevalence of chronic diseases has increased. The dynamic equilibrium of morbidity hypothesis suggests that these patterns are due to the attenuation of the morbidity-disability link over time. This study aimed to test this assumption empirically.

METHODS

Data were drawn from three repeated cross-sections of SWEOLD, a nationally representative survey of the Swedish population aged 77 years and older. Poisson regression models were fitted to assess the trends in the prevalence of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) disability, Instrumental ADL (IADL) disability, and selected groups of chronic conditions. The changes in the associations between chronic conditions and disabilities were examined on both multiplicative and additive scales.

RESULTS

Between 1992 and 2011, the prevalence of both ADL and IADL disabilities decreased whereas the prevalence of nearly all chronic morbidities increased. Significant attenuations of the morbidity-disability associations were found for cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, poor lung function, and psychological distress.

DISCUSSION

In agreement with the dynamic equilibrium of morbidity hypothesis, this study concludes that the morbidity-disability associations among the Swedish older adults largely waned between 1992 and 2011.

Factors Affecting Activity Limitation in the Elderly: Data Processed from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and the health-related quality of life outcome, among the Korean elderly population, with and without activity limitation.

Methods

The data used was drawn from the raw data of the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 8,150). There were 1,632 records for individuals aged 65 or older extracted from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, 199 of those had missing responses (n = 1,433). Differences within the sociodemographic characteristic, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the EuroQol-5 Dimension were analyzed using logistic regression analysis according to the presence or absence of activity limitation.

Results

The prevalence of activity limitation among the elderly individuals surveyed was 19.9%. In the unadjusted regression analysis, the odds ratios of all independent variables (age, gender, education level, type of region, family income, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, all 5 domains of the EuroQol-5 Dimension) between the elderly individuals with and without activity limitation, were significant. Although, in the adjusted logistic regression analysis, it was observed that the only factors that were significantly associated with activity limitation were the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, EuroQol-5 Dimension, type of region, and family income.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrated that activity limitation in elderly individuals is associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of family income and type of region of residence, as well as depression and the health-related quality of life outcome.

23-Year Trends in Life Expectancy in Good and Poor Physical and Cognitive Health at Age 65 Years in the Netherlands, 1993-2016

OBJECTIVES

To examine 23-year trends in both physically and cognitively healthy life expectancy from age 65 years in the Netherlands.

METHODS

We used 8 waves between 1993 and 2016 from the nationally representative Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (12 948 observations). We calculated physically and cognitively healthy life expectancies by using the Sullivan life table method and tested prevalence trends over time by using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

Total life expectancy at age 65 years rose from 14.7 to 18.7 years (men) and from 19.2 to 21.4 years (women). Life expectancy in poor physical health increased nonlinearly from 1.8 to 2.9 years for men; for women it fluctuated around 5.7 years. Meanwhile, life expectancy in good cognitive health increased linearly from 11.0 to 15.7 years (men) and from 13.4 to 18.0 years (women). The proportion of people with poor physical and poor cognitive health combined did not increase, averaging 5.9% (men) and 8.7% (women).

CONCLUSIONS

This multiwave study shows that a negative trend in physically healthy life expectancy is accompanied by a positive trend in cognitively healthy life expectancy.

Trends in ageing and ageing-in-place and the future market for institutional care: scenarios and policy implications

In several OECD countries the percentage of elderly in long-term care institutions has been declining as a result of ageing-in-place. However, due to the rapid ageing of population in the next decades future demand for institutional care is likely to increase. In this paper we perform a scenario analysis to examine the potential impact of these two opposite trends on the demand for institutional elderly care in the Netherlands. We find that the demand for institutional care first declines as a result of the expected increase in the number of low-need elderly that age-in-place. This effect is strong at first but then peters out. After this first period the effect of the demographic trend takes over, resulting in an increase in demand for institutional care. We argue that the observed trends are likely to result in a growing mismatch between demand and supply of institutional care. Whereas the current stock of institutional care is primarily focussed on low-need (residential) care, future demand will increasingly consist of high-need (nursing home) care for people with cognitive as well as somatic disabilities. We discuss several policy options to reduce the expected mismatch between supply and demand for institutional care.

Trends of Activities of Daily Living Disability Situation and Association with Chronic Conditions among Elderly Aged 80 Years and Over in China

OBJECTIVES

In China, few studies reported the disability situation and the association between disabilities with chronic conditions in aged people. This study investigates the cross-sectional trends of prevalence and severity of activities of daily living disability (ADL) in Chinese oldest-old people from 1998 to 2008, and identified the potential risk factors of disability.

DESIGN

A combination of population-based longitudinal prospective study and probabilistically sampling cross-sectional studies.

SETTING

The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) was based on a random sampling of aged people from twenty-two provinces in China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 52,667 participants aged from 80 years old to 105 years old sampled in the year of 1998 (n=8,768), 2000 (n=10,940), 2002 (n=10,905), 2005 (n=10,396) and 2008 (n=11,658) were analyzed respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ADL disability decreased from the year of 1998 (18%) to 2008 (12%). The disability prevalence significantly increased in 2002 and decreased in 2008 (P<0.001) in total participants than the year of 1998. The prevalence trends of low ADL disability level were almost identical with that of the total ADL disability. Stroke/cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive impairment were the strongest risk factors of disability. Vision impairment became less associated with ADL disability (P=0.045), while the association between multimorbidity and ADL disability became stronger (P=0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of ADL disability declined among the oldest-old population in China from the year of 1998 to 2008 without obeying a linear pattern. Temporal trends of ADL disability mainly attributed to the change of low disability level prevalence. Stroke/CVD and cognitive impairment were the most common risk factors of disability. Vision impairment caused disability has become less common, while risks of multimorbidity related disability increased.

Changes in disability, self-rated health, comorbidities and psychological wellbeing in community-dwelling 75-95-year-old cohorts over two decades in Helsinki

OBJECTIVE

To explore changes in self-reported disabilities, health, comorbidities and psychological wellbeing (PWB) in aged cohorts over two decades.

DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS

Cross-sectional cohort studies with postal surveys were conducted among community-dwelling people aged 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 years in 1989 (n = 660), 1999 (n = 2598) and 2009 (n = 1637) in Helsinki, Finland.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported items on disability, self-rated health (SRH), diagnoses and PWB were compared between cohorts of the same age. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for each study year to explore the representativeness of the samples compared to general population of same age.

RESULTS

A significantly lower proportion of the 75-85-year-olds of the later study years reported going outdoors daily, although this group had improvements in both SRH and PWB scores. The number of comorbidities increased over time among 75-85-year-olds. The only significant change that could be verified among 90- and 95-year-olds between 1999 and 2009, was the lower proportion of participants going outdoors daily. The trend of leveling-off in disabilities was not explained by the SMRs (0.90, 0.71 and 0.60 for 1989, 1999 and 2009).

CONCLUSIONS

The latest older people's cohorts showed an end to previously reported improvements in disabilities, despite having favorable trends in SRH and PWB. Primary care may be faced with increasing need of appropriate services for their senior members.

Trends in disability of instrumental activities of daily living among older Chinese adults, 1997-2006: population based study

BACKGROUND

Data on trends for disability in instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) are sparse in older Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVES

To assess trends in prevalence and incidence of IADL disability among older Chinese adults and to explore contributing factors.

DESIGN

Population based study.

SETTING

15 provinces and municipalities in China.

SUBJECTS

Participants (age ≥60) were from four waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey, conducted in 1997 (n=1533), 2000 (n=1581), 2004 (n=2028) and 2006 (n=2256), and from two cohorts constructed within the national survey: cohort 1997-2004 (n=712) and cohort 2000-2006 (n=823).

MEASUREMENTS

IADL disability was defined as inability to perform one or more of the following: shopping, cooking, using transportation, financing and telephoning. Data were analysed with logistic regression and generalised estimating equation models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IADL disability significantly decreased from 1997 to 2006 in the total sample and in all of the subgroups by age, sex, living region and IADL items (all ptrend <0.05). The incidence of IADL disability remained stable from cohort 1997-2004 to cohort 2000-2006 in the total sample and in all of the subgroups (all p>0.10). The recovery rate from IADL disability significantly increased over time in those aged 60-69 years (p=0.03). Living in a rural area or access to local clinics for healthcare was less disabling over time (ptrend <0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of IADL disability decreased among older Chinese adults during 1997-2006, whereas the incidence remained stable. The declining prevalence of IADL disability might be partly due to the decreased duration of IADL disability, and to improvements in living conditions and healthcare facilities over time.

Age Trajectories of Physical Health Among Older Adults of Mexican Descent: Implications of Immigrant Status, Age at Immigration, and Gender

OBJECTIVE

This study examines consequences of immigrant status, age at immigration, and gender on age trajectories of activities of daily living (ADL) limitations and chronic conditions among older adults of Mexican descent.

METHOD

This research draws on 7 waves of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly and employs growth curve models.

RESULTS

All men had similar age trajectories of ADL limitations, regardless of immigrant status and age at immigration. All women experienced steeper increases in ADL limitations, although U.S.-born women and those who immigrated by age 19 had lower initial levels. Men who immigrated between ages 20 and 49 had steeper increases in chronic conditions, despite lower initial levels. U.S.-born women and those women who immigrated by age 50 had more chronic conditions at age 65.

DISCUSSION

This study highlights the multidimensional nature of physical health by demonstrating that immigrant status-gender disparities can vary by the health outcome examined.

Disability in the Individual ADL, IADL, and Mobility among Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the risk of disability in 15 individual ADL, IADL, and mobility in older adults by age; and to assess the association of multimorbidity, gender, and education with disability.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A prospective cohort study. The sample included 805 community-dwelling older people aged 60+ living in the Netherlands.

MEASUREMENTS

Disability was assessed using the Katz-15 Index of Independence in Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and one mobility item. Disability in any of these activities was defined as the inability to perform the activity without assistance. The risk of disability by age for each individual ADL, IADL, and for mobility was assessed using Generalized mixed models.

RESULTS

Disability in activities as household tasks, traveling, shopping, and continence had the highest risk and increased rapidly with age. The risk traveling disability among people aged 65 with two comorbidities increase from 9% to 37% at age 85. Disability in using the telephone, managing medications, finances, transferring, and toileting, had a very low risk and hardly increased with age. Compared to those without chronic conditions, those with ≥ 3 chronic conditions had a 3 to 5 times higher risk of developing disability. Males had a higher risk of disability in managing medication (P=0.005), and preparing meals (P=0.019), whereas females had a higher risk of disability with traveling (P=0.001). No association between education and disability on the individual ADL, IADL, and mobility was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults were mostly disabled in physical related activities, whereas disability in more cognitive related activities was less often experienced. The impact of multimorbidity on disability in each activity was substantial, while education was not.

Supplementation of Mussel Peptides Reduces aging Phenotype, Lipid Deposition and Oxidative Stress in D-Galactose-Induce Aging Mice

OBJECTIVES

Aging is associated with glucose and lipid metabolism disorder. We aimed to examine the effects of mussel peptides on protecting against aging by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism.

METHODS

For the aging model, d-galactose (200 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously to 8-month-old mice for 8 weeks. Mussel peptides (1,000 mg/kg) were simultaneously administered by intragastric gavage. The glucose and lipid metabolism profiles, aging phenotype and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) expression in the liver and adipose tissue of ICR mice were measured.

RESULTS

D-galactose-treated mice showed pronounced fat deposition and impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis, along with increased oxidative damage and aging. Mussel peptides improved metabolic status by reducing serum glucose and triglyceride levels, insulin resistance and hepatic free fatty acid, as well as enhancing serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level and hepatic glycogen content, accompanied with amelioration of aging phenotype and fat deposition. Moreover, mussel peptides ameliorated oxidative stress in aged liver tissues and promoted expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors alpha (PPARα) and gamma (PPARγ) in liver and adipose tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that mussel peptides protect against lipid metabolic disorders associated with aging via maintaining oxidative stress homeostasis and elevated expression levels of PPARs.

Changes in physical functioning among men and women aged 50-79 years in Germany: an analysis of National Health Interview and Examination Surveys, 1997-1999 and 2008-2011

Background

This study examines changes in physical functioning among adults aged 50-79 years in Germany based on data from two German National Health Interview and Examination Surveys conducted in 1997–1999 (GNHIES98) and 2008–2011 (DEGS1).

Methods

Using cross-sectional data from the two surveys (GNHIES98, n = 2884 and DEGS1, n = 3732), we examined changes in self-reported physical functioning scores (Short Form-36 physical functioning subscale (SF-36 PF)) by sex and age groups (50–64 and 65–79 years). Covariables included educational level, living alone, nine chronic diseases, polypharmacy (≥5 prescribed medicines), body mass index, sports activity, smoking and alcohol consumption. Multimorbidity was defined as ≥2 chronic diseases. Multivariable models were fitted to examine consistency of changes in physical functioning among certain subgroups and to assess changes in mean SF-36 PF scores, adjusting for changes in covariables between surveys.

Results

Mean physical functioning increased among adults aged 50–79 years between surveys in unadjusted analyses, but this change was not as marked among men aged 65–79 years who experienced rising obesity (20.6 to 31.5%, p = 0.004) and diabetes (13.0 to 20.0%, p = 0.014). Prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy use increased among men and women aged 65–79 years. In sex and age specific multivariable analyses, changes in physical functioning over time were consistent across subgroups. Gains in physical functioning were explained by improved education, lower body mass index and improved health-related behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, sports activity) in women, but less so among men.

Conclusions

Physical functioning improved in Germany among adults aged 50–79 years. Improvements in the population 65–79 years were less evident among men than women, despite increases in multimorbidity prevalence among both sexes. Changes in health behaviours over time differed between sexes and help explain variations in physical functioning. Targeted health behaviour interventions are indicated from this study.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0377-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Orthopedic, ophthalmic, and psychiatric diseases primarily affect activity limitation for Japanese males and females: Based on the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions

Background

Healthy life expectancy (HLE) is used as one of the primary objectives of fundamental health promotion plans and social development plans. Activity limitation is used to calculate HLE, but little study has been done to identify determinants of activity limitation in order to extend HLE. The purpose of this study is to identify diseases and injuries that commonly lead to activity limitation to prioritize countermeasures against activity limitation.

Methods

We used anonymous data from the 2007 “Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions,” collected by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan according to the Statistics Act, Article 36. We used logistic regression analyses and calculated odds ratios (ORs) after adjusting for age and sex. Limitation in daily activities was applied as the dependent variable, and each disease/injury was applied as an independent variable in this analysis. Furthermore, population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated.

Results

The provided data included 98,789 subjects. We used data for 75,986 valid subjects aged 12 years or older. The following diseases showed high PAF: backache (PAF 13.27%, OR 3.88), arthropathia (PAF 7.61%, OR 4.82), eye and optical diseases (PAF 6.39%, OR 2.01), and depression and other mental diseases (PAF 5.70%, OR 11.55). PAFs of cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes were higher for males than for females; on the other hand, PAFs of orthopedic diseases were higher among females.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that orthopedic diseases, ophthalmic diseases, and psychiatric diseases particularly affect activity limitation.

Trends in Incidence of Disability in Activities of Daily Living in Chinese Older Adults: 1993-2006

OBJECTIVES

To investigate time trends in incidence of activity of daily living (ADL) disability of Chinese older adults and to explore factors potentially contributing to trends.

DESIGN

Population-based prospective study using a multistage, randomized, cluster sampling process.

SETTING

Nine provinces of China.

PARTICIPANTS

Three consecutive cohorts of people aged 60 and older from the China Health and Nutrition Survey: cohort 1993-2000 (n = 831), cohort 1997-2004 (n = 1,091), cohort 2000-2006 (n = 1,152).

MEASUREMENTS

Disability in ADLs was defined as inability to perform at least one of five self-care activities (transferring, dressing, toileting, bathing, feeding). Data were analyzed using Cox and generalized estimating equation models.

RESULTS

The incidence (per 1,000 person-years) of ADL disability decreased significantly from 35.3 in 1993-2000 and 28.9 in 1997-2004 to 24.3 in 2000-2006 in Chinese older adults (P_trend < .001). The incidence of ADL disability decreased significantly in men and women, in young-old adults (aged 60-74), and in those living in rural areas (all P_trend ≤ .02) after controlling for multiple potential influential factors. Of the five ADL items, decline in incidence of disability was significant in transferring (P_trend < .001) and bathing (P_trend = .002) and marginally significant in toileting (P_trend = .06) but stable in dressing (P_trend = .38) and feeding (P_trend = .26).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of ADL disability decreased from 1993 to 2006 in older adults in China, especially in transferring and bathing, independent of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and chronic health conditions.

The natural course of elevated levels of depressive symptoms in patients with vascular disease over eight years of follow-up. The SMART-Medea study

BACKGROUND

Patients with cardiovascular disease have an increased risk for depression, and depression predicts poor prognosis in these patients, but the long-term course of depression is not known. We studied the natural course of elevated levels of depressive symptoms in patients with cardiovascular disease over eight years follow-up.

METHODS

Within the Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease - Memory, depression and aging (SMART-Medea) study, depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in 690 patients (62±10 years) at baseline and bi-annually during 8 years follow-up. Natural course was described for symptom severity and course type (never, single episode, intermittent, and chronic) based on the cut-off point of ≥6 on the PHQ-9. Using multinomial regression analysis (reference: never depressed) we estimated age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the associations of demographic factors and vascular disease categories with course type.

RESULTS

Of the 690 patients, 60% was never depressed, 10% had a single episode, 19% had an intermittent and 11% a chronic course of depression. Increased risk for chronic course was observed for women (OR=3.42; 95% CI=1.98-5.90), those with younger age (OR=3.20; 95% CI=1.73-5.94), and for patients with cerebrovascular disease when compared to patients with coronary artery disease (OR=2.50; 95% CI=1.31-4.78).

LIMITATIONS

No information was available on clinical diagnosed major depressive disorder and/or clinical events during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with cardiovascular disease, an intermittent or chronic course of elevated levels of depressive symptoms is very common. Patients with cardiovascular disease may require more careful clinical monitoring and management of depressive symptoms.

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam: cohort update 2016 and major findings

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) is an ongoing longitudinal study of older adults in the Netherlands, which started in 1992. LASA is focused on the determinants, trajectories and consequences of physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning. The study is based on a nationally representative sample of older adults aged 55 years and over. The findings of the LASA study have been reported in over 450 publications so far (see www.lasa-vu.nl ). In this article we describe the background and the design of the LASA study, and provide an update of the methods. In addition, we provide a summary of the major findings from the period 2011-2015.

Trend study on the association between hospital admissions and the health of Dutch older adults (1995-2009)

OBJECTIVES

An increase in hospital admission rates in older people may reflect improved access to healthcare, but also declining health trends in the older population. Owing to a lack of individual-level data, the latter possibility has received little attention. The current study examines associations between health status and hospitalisation rates of older adults in the Netherlands.

DESIGN

Observational individual-level data linked to hospital register data.

SETTING

Data from 1995 to 2009 from the nationally representative Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were linked to the Dutch Hospital Discharge Register.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 5681 observations of 2520 respondents across 4 measurement points (each with a follow-up of 36 months; ages 65-88 years).

OUTCOME MEASURES

The contribution of health, demographic, psychosocial and lifestyle characteristics to time trends in hospitalisation was assessed in multivariate models.

RESULTS

Between 1995 and 2009, the percentage with 1 or more overnight admissions (planned or acute) increased slightly from 38.1% to 39.7%. This was due to an increase in acute admission only (22.2-27.0%). Increased prevalences of chronic diseases, functional limitations and polypharmacy accounted for part of the observed increase in acute admissions. In addition, a more than doubled prevalence of day admissions over time was observed (12.3-28.3%), a trend that was unrelated to changes in individual characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

This trend study showed a contribution of declines in population health to increases in acute hospital admissions. Since these declines did not provide a full explanation, healthcare reforms and increases in treatment possibilities in this period are likely to have contributed as well.

Changes in admission to long-term care institutions in the Netherlands: comparing two cohorts over the period 1996-1999 and 2006-2009

Using data from two cohorts, we examine to what extent a decline in institutional care in the Netherlands is associated with changes in the need for care and/or societal factors. We compared older adults, aged 65–89, who were admitted to a long-term care (LTC) institution in the period 1996–1999 and 2006–2009. Using the Andersen model, we tested per block of predisposing, enabling and need factors, which factors were significant predictors of admission to institutional care. With a Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition regression, we decomposed the difference in admission to an LTC institution between the period 1996–1999 and 2006–2009 into a part that is due to differences in health needs and other factors such as effect of policy, social values, and technology. Between 1996 and 2006, the percentage of co-residing partners and income increased and the average level of loneliness decreased significantly. The prevalence of disability, chronic diseases, however, increased. Whereas the care by partners declined, the formal care by professionals increased. Although the observed decline in the admission rate to institutional care was relatively small across the 10 years (from 5.3 % in 1996–1999 to 4.5 % in 2006–2009, a 15 % decrease), the probability of admission in 2006–2009 was relatively much lower when accounting for changes in the health and social conditions of the participants: the probability was 1.7–2.1 % point lower for adults in the period 2006–2009 compared to 1996–1999, a 32–40 % decrease. Our results show that the decline in the admission rate to LTC institutions is not the result of changes in need. The decline is suggested to be the combined effect of changes in policy, technological advances and changes in social norms.

The effect of trends in health and longevity on health services use by older adults

Background

The effect of population aging on future health services use depends on the relationship between longevity gains and health. Whether further gains in life expectancy will be paired by improvements in health is uncertain. We therefore analyze the effect of population ageing on health services use under different health scenarios. We focus on the possibly diverging trends between different dimensions of health and their effect on health services use.

Methods

Using longitudinal data on health and health services use, a latent Markov model has been estimated that includes different dimensions of health. We use this model to perform a simulation study and analyze the health dynamics that drive the effect of population aging. We simulate three health scenarios on the relationship between longevity and health (expansion of morbidity, compression of morbidity, and the dynamic equilibrium scenario). We use the scenarios to predict costs of health services use in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2050.

Results

Hospital use is predicted to decline after 2040, whereas long-term care will continue to rise up to 2050. Considerable differences in expenditure growth rates between scenarios with the same life expectancy but different trends in health are found. Compression of morbidity generally leads to the lowest growth. The effect of additional life expectancy gains within the same health scenario is relatively small for hospital care, but considerable for long-term care.

Conclusions

By comparing different health scenarios resulting in the same life expectancy, we show that health improvements do contain costs when they decrease morbidity but not mortality. This suggests that investing in healthy aging can contribute to containing health expenditure growth.

The Dynamic contribution of chronic conditions to temporal trends in disability among U.S. adults

BACKGROUND

Although evidence has shown that U.S. late-life disability has been declining, studies have also suggested that there has been an increase in chronic diseases between 1984 and 2007.

OBJECTIVES

To further illuminate these potentially contradictory trends, we explicate how the contribution of chronic conditions changes across four common types of disability (ADL, IADL, mobility disability, and functional limitations) by age (A), period (P), and birth cohorts (C) among adults aged 20 and above.

METHODS

Our data came from seven cross-sectional waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We utilize a cross-classified random effect model (CCREM) to simultaneously estimate age, period, and cohort trends for each disability. Each chronic condition was sequentially then simultaneously added to our base models (sociodemographics only). Reductions in predicted probability from the base model were then calculated for each chronic condition by each temporal dimension (A/P/C) to assess the contribution of each chronic condition.

RESULTS

There was increasing age-based contribution of chronic conditions to all disabilities. The period-based contribution remained quite stagnant across years while cohort-based contributions showed a continual decline for recent cohorts. Arthritis showed the greatest contribution to disability of all types which was followed by obesity. Cancer was the least important contributor to disabilities.

CONCLUSION

Although chronic conditions are becoming less disabling across recent cohorts, other competing risk factors might suggest prevailing causes of disability.

Lifestyle-related risk factors and trajectories of work disability over 5 years in employees with diabetes: findings from two prospective cohort studies

AIMS

To examine work disability trajectories among employees with and without diabetes and identify lifestyle-related factors associated with these trajectories.

METHODS

We assessed work disability using records of sickness absence and disability pension among participants with diabetes and age- sex-, socio-economic status- and marital status-matched controls in the Finnish Public Sector Study (1102 cases; 2204 controls) and the French GAZEL study (500 cases; 1000 controls), followed up for 5 years. Obesity, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption were assessed at baseline and the data analysed using group-based trajectory modelling.

RESULTS

Five trajectories described work disability: 'no/very low disability' (41.1% among cases and 48.0% among controls); 'low-steady' (35.4 and 34.7%, respectively); 'high-steady' (13.6 and 12.1%, respectively); and two 'high-increasing' trajectories (10.0 and 5.2%, respectively). Diabetes was associated with a 'high-increasing' trajectory only (odds ratio 1.90, 95% CI 1.47-2.46). Obesity and low physical activity were similarly associated with high work disability in people with and without diabetes. Smoking was associated with 'high-increasing' trajectory in employees with diabetes (odds ratio 1.88, 95% CI 1.21-2.93) but not in those without diabetes (odds ratio 1.32, 95% CI 0.87-2.00). Diabetes was associated with having multiple ( ≥ 2) risk factors (21.1 vs. 11.4%) but the association between multiple risk factors and the 'high-increasing' trajectory was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of employees with diabetes have low disability rates, although 10% are on a high and increasing disability trajectory. Lifestyle-related risk factors have similar associations with disability among employees with and without diabetes, except smoking which was only associated with poorer prognosis in diabetes.

Contribution of chronic diseases to the mild and severe disability burden in Belgium

BACKGROUND

Population aging accompanied by an increased longevity with disability has raised international concern, especially due to its costs to the health care systems. Chronic diseases are the main causes of physical disability and their simultaneous occurrence in the population can impact the disablement process, resulting in different severity levels. In this study, the contribution of chronic diseases to both mild and severe disability burden in Belgium was investigated.

METHODS

Data on 21 chronic diseases and disability from 35,799 individuals aged 15 years or older who participated in the 1997, 2001, 2004, or 2008 Belgian Health Interview Surveys were analysed. Mild and severe disability were defined based on questions related to six activities of daily living and/or mobility limitations. To attribute disability by severity level to selected chronic diseases, multiple additive hazard models were fitted to each disability outcome, separately for men and women.

RESULTS

A stable prevalence of mild (5 %) and severe (2-3 %) disability was observed for the Belgian population aged 15 years or older between 1997 and 2008. Arthritis was the most important contributor in women with mild and severe disability. In men, low back pain and chronic respiratory diseases contributed most to the mild and severe disability burden, respectively. The contribution also differed by age: for mild disability, depression and chronic respiratory diseases were important contributors among young individuals, while heart attack had a large contribution for older individuals. For severe disability, neurological diseases and stroke presented a large contribution in young and elderly individuals, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the assessment of the contribution of chronic diseases on disability is more informative if different levels of disability are taken into consideration. The identification of diseases which are related to different levels of disability - mild and severe - can assist policymakers in the definition and prioritisation of strategies to tackle disability, involving prevention, rehabilitation programs, support services, and training for disabled individuals.

Increasing disability-free life expectancy among older adults in Palestine from 2006 to 2010

BACKGROUND

The population of Palestine comprises almost 200 000 Palestinians aged 60 or older. The purpose of the study was to estimate disability-free life expectancy for Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and to evaluate changes from 2006 to 2010.

METHODS

The study combined mortality data and prevalence of activity limitation derived from the Palestinian Family Health Surveys carried out in 2006 and 2010. Based on questions about the ability to perform five basic daily activities, disability-free life expectancy was estimated. Changes between 2006 and 2010 were decomposed into contributions from changes in mortality and disability.

RESULTS

Life expectancy at age 60 increased from 17.1 years in 2006 to 17.3 years in 2010 for men and from 18.7 years to 19.0 years for women. Disability-free life expectancy increased significantly, by 1.3 years for 60-year-old men (from 12.8 years to 14.1 years) and 1.8 years for 60-year-old women (from 12.6 years to 14.4 years). This increase was seen in the Gaza Strip as well as in the West Bank. While the modest contribution of the mortality effect did not differ between gender and regions, the strong contributions from the disability effects varied, being greatest for women in the Gaza Strip.

CONCLUSION

The significant increase in disability-free life expectancy for both genders is remarkable and, to our knowledge, not seen in other low-income countries. This change may be due to decreasing incidence of disability and greater recovery from disability as a result of better prevention, care and rehabilitation of chronic diseases.

Explaining declining rates of institutional LTC use in the Netherlands: a decomposition approach

The use of long-term care (LTC) is changing rapidly. In the Netherlands, rates of institutional LTC use are falling, whereas homecare use is growing. Are these changes attributable to declining disability rates, or has LTC use given disability changed? And have institutionalization rates fallen regardless of disability level, or has LTC use become better tailored to needs? We answer these questions by explaining trends in LTC use for the Dutch 65+ population in the period 2000-2008 using a nonlinear variant of the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition. We find that changes in LTC use are not due to shifts in the disability distribution but can almost entirely be traced back to changes in the way the system treats disability. Elderly with mild disability are more likely to be treated at home than before, whereas severely disabled individuals continue to receive institutional LTC. As a result, LTC use has become better tailored to the needs for such care. This finding suggests that policies that promote LTC in the community rather than in institutions can effectively mitigate the consequences of population aging on LTC spending.

Are we living longer but less healthy? Trends in mortality and morbidity in Catalonia (Spain), 1994-2011

Evidence on trends in prevalence of disease and disability can clarify whether countries are experiencing a compression or expansion of morbidity. An expansion of morbidity, as indicated by disease, has appeared in Europe and other developed regions. It is likely that better treatment, preventive measures, and increases in education levels have contributed to the declines in mortality and increments in life expectancy. This paper examines whether there has been an expansion of morbidity in Catalonia (Spain). It uses trends in mortality and morbidity and links these with survival to provide estimates of life expectancy with and without diseases and mobility limitations. We use a repeated cross-sectional health survey carried out in 1994 and 2011 for measures of morbidity, and information from the Spanish National Statistics Institute for mortality. Our findings show that at age 65 the percentage of life with disease increased from 52 to 70 % for men, and from 56 to 72 % for women; the expectation of life with mobility limitations increased from 24 to 30 % for men and from 40 to 47 % for women between 1994 and 2011. These changes were attributable to increases in the prevalence of diseases and moderate mobility limitation. Overall, we find an expansion of morbidity along the period. Increasing survival among people with diseases can lead to a higher prevalence of diseases in the older population. Higher prevalence of health problems can lead to greater pressure on the health care system and a growing burden of disease for individuals.

Trends in disability in activities of daily living among Chinese older adults, 1997-2006: the China Health and Nutrition Survey

BACKGROUND

A decline in prevalence of late-life disability in activities of daily living (ADLs) has been reported in Western countries. We investigate the time trend of disability in basic ADLs among Chinese older people in 1997-2006, and explore the potential contribution of cardiometabolic diseases to the trend.

METHODS

The study included 7,845 participants (age ≥ 60 years) in the China Health and Nutrition Survey who were examined in 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2006. Data on ADLs were collected through interviews. Disability in basic ADLs was defined as need of assistance or inability to perform at least one of the five self-care activities of bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, and transferring. Generalized estimating equation models were used to test the time trend in ADL disability and its association with cardiometabolic diseases.

RESULTS

Prevalence of ADL disability decreased from 13.2% in 1997 to 9.9% in 2006; the trend was statistically evident among people aged 60-69 years, women, and rural residents (p trend < .05). From 1997 to 2006, the prevalence of ADL disability decreased at a relative annual rate of 3.1% in total sample; the decline was statistically more evident in young-olds than older-olds, in men than women, and in rural than urban residents. The disabling effect decreased over time for stroke (p trend = .032) and multiple cardiometabolic diseases (p trend = .014).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of disability in basic ADLs among Chinese older adults decreased from 1997 to 2006. Stroke and multiple cardiometabolic diseases appear to become less disabling over time, which may partly contribute to the favorable trend in ADL disability.

National trends in main causes of hospitalization: a multi-cohort register study of the finnish working-age population, 1976-2010

Background

The health transition theory argues that societal changes produce proportional changes in causes of disability and death. The aim of this study was to identify long-term changes in main causes of hospitalization in working-age population within a nation that has experienced considerable societal change.

Methodology

National trends in all-cause hospitalization and hospitalizations for the five main diagnostic categories were investigated in the data obtained from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register. The seven-cohort sample covered the period from 1976 to 2010 and consisted of 3,769,356 randomly selected Finnish residents, each cohort representing 25% sample of population aged 18 to 64 years.

Principal Findings

Over the period of 35 years, the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases decreased. Hospitalization for musculoskeletal diseases increased whereas mental and behavioral hospitalizations slightly decreased. The risk of cancer hospitalization decreased marginally in men, whereas in women an upward trend was observed.

Conclusions/Significance

A considerable health transition related to hospitalizations and a shift in the utilization of health care services of working-age men and women took place in Finland between 1976 and 2010.