Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, Vol 53, Issue 6 M491-M495, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Lower body functioning as a predictor of subsequent disability among older Mexican Americans

GV Ostir, KS Markides, SA Black and JS Goodwin
Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1153, USA.

BACKGROUND: Disability measures among elderly non-Hispanic White populations have traditionally been associated with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). More recently, performance-based measures have increasingly been used to predict the onset of disability in initially nondisabled elderly populations. METHODS: We used data from two waves (1993-94 and 1995-96) of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) to assess the degree with which lower mobility performance measures predict future disability in a representative sample of older Mexican Americans from the Southwestern United States. RESULTS: Performances on an 8-foot walk, repeated chair stands, and standing balance among nondisabled subjects at baseline were significantly associated with the onset of ADL and lower body disability 2 years later, controlling for age, gender, and the presence of medical conditions. The results were significant for each performance measure and for a measure combining all three. CONCLUSION: This study offers further evidence that performance-based measures of lower body function are able to predict future disability in older Mexican Americans, as has been found with other elderly populations. These measures were able to detect changes over a relatively short period of time (2 years). In addition, the study found that the short (8-foot) walk was the most sensitive measure in predicting future disability.

This article has been cited by other articles: (Search Google Scholar for Other Citing Articles)

				T.-M. Asikainen, J. H Suni, M. E Pasanen, P. Oja, M. B Rinne, S. I Miilunpalo, C.-H. A Nygard, and I. M Vuori Effect of Brisk Walking in 1 or 2 Daily Bouts and Moderate Resistance Training on Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength, Balance, and Walking Performance in Women Who Recently Went Through Menopause: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Physical Therapy, July 1, 2006; 86(7): 912 - 923. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. M Jette Toward a Common Language for Function, Disability, and Health Physical Therapy, May 1, 2006; 86(5): 726 - 734. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.-K. Kuo, J. F. Bean, C.-J. Yen, and S. G. Leveille Linking C-Reactive Protein to Late-Life Disability in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002 J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., April 1, 2006; 61(4): 380 - 387. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Giri, M. M. McDermott, P. Greenland, J. M. Guralnik, M. H. Criqui, K. Liu, L. Ferrucci, D. Green, J. R. Schneider, and L. Tian Statin Use and Functional Decline in Patients With and Without Peripheral Arterial Disease J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 7, 2006; 47(5): 998 - 1004. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. V. Ostir, E. Simonsick, J. D. Kasper, and J. M. Guralnik Satisfaction With Support Given and Its Association With Subsequent Health Status J Aging Health, August 1, 2002; 14(3): 355 - 369. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Cesari, M. Pahor, B. Bartali, A. Cherubini, B. W. Penninx, G R. Williams, H. Atkinson, A. Martin, J. M Guralnik, and L. Ferrucci Antioxidants and physical performance in elderly persons: the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2004; 79(2): 289 - 294. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Avlund, A. N. Pedersen, and M. Schroll Functional Decline From Age 80 to 85: Influence of Preceding Changes in Tiredness in Daily Activities Psychosom Med, September 1, 2003; 65(5): 771 - 777. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. F. M. de Leon, J. M. Guralnik, and K. Bandeen-Roche Short-Term Change in Physical Function and Disability: The Women's Health and Aging Study J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., November 1, 2002; 57(6): S355 - 365. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Raji, G. V. Ostir, K. S. Markides, and J. S. Goodwin The Interaction of Cognitive and Emotional Status on Subsequent Physical Functioning in Older Mexican Americans: Findings From the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2002; 57(10): M678 - 682. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. Ottenbacher, G. V. Ostir, M. K. Peek, J. S. Goodwin, and K. S. Markides Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Hip Fracture in Mexican American Older Adults J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2002; 57(10): M648 - 653. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Onder, B. W.J.H. Penninx, P. Lapuerta, L. P. Fried, G. V. Ostir, J. M. Guralnik, and M. Pahor Change in Physical Performance Over Time in Older Women: The Women's Health and Aging Study J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., May 1, 2002; 57(5): M289 - 293. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				T.-Y. Lan, D. Melzer, B. D.M. Tom, and J. M. Guralnik Performance Tests and Disability: Developing an Objective Index of Mobility-Related Limitation in Older Populations J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., May 1, 2002; 57(5): M294 - 301. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				L. L. Bryant, S. M. Shetterly, J. Baxter, and R. F. Hamman Changing Functional Status in a Biethnic Rural Population : The San Luis Valley Health and Aging Study Am. J. Epidemiol., February 15, 2002; 155(4): 361 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. M. Simonsick, A. B. Newman, M. C. Nevitt, S. B. Kritchevsky, L. Ferrucci, J. M. Guralnik, T. Harris, and for the Health ABC Study Group Measuring Higher Level Physical Function in Well-Functioning Older Adults: Expanding Familiar Approaches in the Health ABC Study J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2001; 56(10): M644 - 649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Al Snih, K. S. Markides, L. Ray, and J. S. Goodwin Impact of Pain on Disability Among Older Mexican Americans J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2001; 56(7): M400 - 404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Guralnik, L. Ferrucci, C. F. Pieper, S. G. Leveille, K. S. Markides, G. V. Ostir, S. Studenski, L. F. Berkman, and R. B. Wallace Lower Extremity Function and Subsequent Disability: Consistency Across Studies, Predictive Models, and Value of Gait Speed Alone Compared With the Short Physical Performance Battery J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., April 1, 2000; 55(4): 221M - 231. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. C. Schiller, Y. G. Casas, B. L. Tracy, C. A. DeSouza, and D. R. Seals Age-Related Declines in Knee Extensor Strength and Physical Performance in Healthy Hispanic and Caucasian Women J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., December 1, 2000; 55(12): 563B - 569. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. W.J.H. Penninx, L. Ferrucci, S. G. Leveille, T. Rantanen, M. Pahor, and J. M. Guralnik Lower Extremity Performance in Nondisabled Older Persons as a Predictor of Subsequent Hospitalization J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., November 1, 2000; 55(11): 691M - 697. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				T. P. Miles, R. F. Palmer, D. V. Espino, C. P. Mouton, M. J. Lichtenstein, and K. S. Markides New-Onset Incontinence and Markers of Frailty: Data From the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., January 1, 2001; 56(1): 19M - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text]