Multisystem physiologic impairments and changes in gait speed of older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Slowed gait is an important health indicator in older adults but a single identifiable cause is often lacking. We assessed whether a summary index measuring impairments across multiple physiologic systems was associated with slowed gait in older individuals.

Methods

Data from the Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 3,010) were used to assess associations between baseline physiologic index (measuring vasculature, brain, kidneys, lungs, and glucose metabolism; range 0-10 with 0-2 points/system and lower score indicating higher function) and annual gait speed (m/s) over 6 years. Participants with complete data on the physiologic index and at least two gait speed measures were included. Mean gait speed and 95% confidence intervals (CI) by category of index were calculate

SUBMITTER: Rosso AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4351395 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature