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Prognostic value of usual gait speed in well-functioning older people--results from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study

Authors :
Cesari, M.
Kritchevsky, S.B.
Penninx, B.W.J.H.
Nicklas, B.J.
Simonsick, E.M.
Newman, A.B.
Tylavsky, F.A.
Brach, J.S.
Satterfield, S.
Bauer, D.C.
Visser, M.
Rubin, S.M.
Harris, T.B.
Pahor, M.
Cesari, M.
Kritchevsky, S.B.
Penninx, B.W.J.H.
Nicklas, B.J.
Simonsick, E.M.
Newman, A.B.
Tylavsky, F.A.
Brach, J.S.
Satterfield, S.
Bauer, D.C.
Visser, M.
Rubin, S.M.
Harris, T.B.
Pahor, M.
Source :
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Repository
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To define clinically relevant cutpoints for usual gait speed and to investigate their predictive value for health-related events in older persons. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand forty-seven well-functioning older persons (mean age 74.2). MEASUREMENTS: Usual gait speed on a 6-m course was assessed at baseline. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to identify (Sample A; n = 2,031) and then validate (Sample B; n = 1,016) usual gait-speed cutpoints. Rates of persistent lower extremity limitation events (mean follow-up 4.9 years) were calculated according to gait speed in Sample A. A cutpoint (defining high- (<1 m/s) and low risk (≥1 m/s) groups) was identified based on persistent lower extremity limitation events. The predictive value of the identified cutpoints for major health-related events (persistent severe lower extremity limitation, death, and hospitalization) was evaluated in Sample B using Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A graded response was seen between risk groups and health-related outcomes. Participants in the high-risk group had a higher risk of persistent lower extremity limitation (rate ratio (RR) = 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.76-2.74), persistent severe lower extremity limitation (RR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.63-3.20), death (RR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.14-2.37), and hospitalization (RR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.02-2.13) than those in the low-risk group. CONCLUSION: Usual gait speed of less than 1 m/s identifies persons at high risk of health-related outcomes in well-functioning older people. Provision of a clinically meaningful cutpoint for usual gait speed may facilitate its use in clinical and research settings. © 2005 by the American Geriatrics Society.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Repository
Notes :
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society vol.53 (2005) nr.10 p.1675-1680 [ISSN 0002-8614], English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1136593041
Document Type :
Electronic Resource
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111.j.1532-5415.2005.53501.x