Mobility predicts change in older adults’ health-related quality of life: evidence from a Vancouver falls prevention prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundOlder adults with mobility impairments are prone to reduced health related quality of life (HRQoL) is highly associated with mobility impairments. The consequences of falls have detrimental impact on mobility. Hence, ascertaining factors explaining variation among individuals’ quality of life is critical for promoting healthy ageing, particularly among older fallers. Hence, the primary objective of our study was to identify key factors that explain variation in HRQoL among community dwelling older adults at risk of falls.MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal analysis of a 12-month prospective cohort study at the Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic (n = 148 to 286 depending on the analysis). We constructed linear mixed models where assessment month (0, 6, 12) was entered as a within-subjects repeated measure, the intercept was specified as a random effect, and predictors and covariates were entered as between-subjects fixed effects. We also included the predictors by sex and predictor by sex by time interaction terms in order to investigate sex differences in the relations between the predictor variable and the outcome variable, the EQ-5D.ResultsOur primary analysis demonstrated a significant mobility (assessed using the Short Performance Physical Battery and the Timed Up and Go) by time interaction (p < 0.05) and mobility by time by sex interaction (p < 0.05). The sensitivity analyses demonstrated some heterogeneity of these findings using an imputed and a complete case analysis.ConclusionsMobility may be an important predictor of changes in HRQoL over time. As such, mobility is a critical factor to target for future intervention strategies aimed at maintaining or improving HRQoL in late life.

The Clinical Relevance of Pain Severity Changes: Is There Any Difference Between Asian and Caucasian Patients With Osteoarthritis Pain?

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Kinesiophobia, Pain, Muscle Functions, and Functional Performances among Older Persons with Low Back Pain

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Slow Processing Speed Predicts Falls in Older Adults With a Falls History: 1‐Year Prospective Cohort Study

“…The sample consisted of 288 women and men referred by their general practitioner or emergency department physician to the Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic with complete data across the variables of interest in this study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the Vancouver Falls Prevention Cohort are previously described …”

“…Falling is one of the strongest predictors of future occurrences. Falls are the leading cause of activity restriction, fracture (i.e., wrist, hip, spine), reduced falls‐related self‐efficacy and reduced health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) …”

“…Falls are the leading cause of activity restriction, 2 fracture (i.e., wrist, hip, spine), 3 reduced falls-related self-efficacy 4 and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). [5][6][7] Various approaches have been used to categorize falls including: (1) total, (2) outdoor, (3) indoor, (4) injurious, and (5) non-injurious falls. 8,9 To identify potential predictors of prospective falls across the five categories, we used a theoretical framework that includes cognitive (i.e., executive functions, processing speed), physical (i.e., strength, mobility, balance) and psychological (i.e., HRQoL and wellbeing) domains as contributors to fall risk.…”