Factors associated with mobility decrease leading to disability: a cross-sectional nationwide study in Japan, with results from 8681 adults aged 20-89 years

Abstract

Background Mobility decrease leading to disability can gradually develop during early life, however, its related factors are not well clarified. Therefore, we investigate the related factors of mobility decrease at various levels, using nationwide data in Japan. Methods In total, 8681 independent community dwellers aged 20-89 years were analysed (average age, 51.6 years; 58.5% women). Three stages of mobility decrease were based on the locomotive syndrome risk test: Stage 1, emerging; Stage 2, progressing; Stage 3, progressed to restrict social engagement. Age was analysed using a simple quadratic function model. Results The prevalence of Stages 1-3 was 31.6% (n = 2746), 5.8% (n = 504), and 3.2% (n = 278), respectively. On the multivariable logistic regression, increased age in participants aged ≥40 years (stage 1: odds ratio[OR] 1.05-1.20, stage 2: OR 1.04-1.22, stage 3: OR 1.05-1.22), female (stage 1: OR 2.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.99-2.61, stage 2: OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.77-3.25, stage 3: OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.19-2.72), overweight status (stage 1: OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.34-1.82, stage 2: OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.38-4.27, stage 3: OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.90-4.32), hypertension (stage 1: OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.41, stage 2: OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.49-2.64, stage 3: OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.44-3.05), and diabetes mellitus (stage 1: OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.17-2.24, stage 2: OR 1.57, 95% CI 0.93-2.66, stage 3: OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.13-3.90) were positively associated. The frequency of physical activity/sports, even a few per month, was inversely associated with all stages (stage 1: OR 0.59-0.72, stage 2: OR 0.50-0.67, stage 3: 0.36-0.53). A one-year increase in age had a stronger impact on mobility decrease in older adults than in younger ones. Increased age in participants aged < 40 years and smoking were associated with Stage 1, while intake of various foods was inversely associated with Stages 1 and 2. Conclusion Increased age (< 40 years) was associated with emerging mobility decrease, while that (≥ 40 years) was associated with any levels of mobility decrease. Female, lifestyle habits, including physical activities and overweight status, were associated with mobility decrease at every level.

The prevalence of functional disability and its impact on older adults in the ASEAN region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…(4) In rapidly ageing countries such as Japan and China, the proportion of older adults aged 65 years and above with disability and requiring long-term care in Japan is around 20%, while the proportion of older adults with ADL disability in China was 18.3% in 2015. (5,6) Current evidence on functional disability prevalence is inconclusive as to whether disability rates are rising or declining. Although a decline in prevalence has been reported in some countries (7,8), population ageing can be expected to lead to increasing numbers of older adults with functional disabilities.…”

Definition and Contextual Factors of Nursing Home Residents’ Mobility in a Holistic View: A Delphi Study

“…These factors causing mobility or immobility add up to a holistic understanding of mobility. Research on the range of factors influencing mobility and corresponding assessment tools has already been called for in the current literature in the field of mobility research ( 26 , 27 ). The results regarding contextual factors are discussed below.…”

Health-related factors leading to disabilities in Korea: Survival analysis

“…A study found that disability is associated with smoking, obesity, the female sex, and diabetes in predicting disability and death in the Australian population ( 19 ). A nationwide cross-national study that explored factors related to reduced mobility leading to disability in adults aged 20–89 years, found that an increase in the age of participants over 40 years was associated with a new decrease in mobility, and lifestyle habits of participants younger than 40 years, including reduced physical activity in women and being overweight, which were in turn, associated with reduced mobility at all levels ( 27 ).…”

“…Furthermore, many studies have identified that certain chronic diseases like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, joint, kidney and diseases [e.g., hypertension, ( 8 , 19 , 22 , 30 , 41 , 43 ) hyperlipidemia ( 19 ), diabetes, ( 8 , 30 , 35 , 36 , 40 , 41 , 51 , 55 , 57 ) cerebrovascular disease ( 18 , 30 , 51 ), respiratory and lung disease ( 15 , 30 , 43 , 45 , 50 , 57 ), cardiovascular disease ( 11 – 13 , 30 , 32 , 45 , 57 ), heart disease ( 35 , 41 , 46 , 51 ), hip joint disease ( 30 , 58 ), tuberculosis ( 54 ), kidney disease ( 44 ), HIV ( 14 ), cancer ( 30 , 41 , 57 ), and BMI/obesity ( 9 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 32 , 36 , 39 , 41 , 45 ), etc.] or health-related factors, behaviors and choices [e.g., level of physical activity ( 6 – 9 , 16 , 27 , 28 , 31 – 34 , 38 , 42 , 44 , 56 ), smoking ( 9 , 19 ,…”