Prevalence of Disability among the Chinese Older Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Disability is an important problem in aging societies globally. However, the research findings of the prevalence of disability have been inconsistent. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of disability and its influencing factors among the Chinese older population from 1979 to 31 July 2021. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using both international (PubMed, Web of Science, CBMdisc, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) and Chinese (CNKI, CQVIP, and WanFang) databases. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to account for heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses were also done. Results: The pooled prevalence of disability across all 97 studies was 26.2% (95% CI: 23.7–28.6%). The estimates varied according to the types of activities of daily living (ADL), gender, age, and region. Studies based on the identification of cases by using the complete ADL scale showed a higher prevalence than those using the basic ADL scale. The prevalence was slightly higher among female older individuals than among male older individuals. The highest rates were seen in older individuals aged 80 years or older. Elders in central China, southwest China, and northwest China were more likely to be BADL-disabled. Conclusion: Prevalence of disability among the Chinese older population is high, around 26%. Using standardized diagnostic systems to correctly estimate the prevalence of disability would be helpful for public health professionals in China.

Bidirectional association between functional disability and multimorbidity among middle-aged and older adults in Thailand

“…Furthermore, we found that consistent with previous research ( 6 , 9 , 15 , 29 , 32 , 38 , 40 ), both MM and functional disability increased with age, decreased with higher education, and decreased with higher income. In line with previous studies ( 32 ), the prevalence of MM was higher in women than in men, while functional disability did not differ by sex, as found previously ( 29 , 38 , 39 ). The prevalence of MM and functional disability was higher among those who were physically inactive, which is consistent with previous research ( 32 , 34 , 40 , 43 , 44 ).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that demographic factors, such as older age and female sex ( 32 ), lower socioeconomic status ( 6 , 9 ), and lifestyle factors, such as smoking ( 33 ), alcohol use ( 32 , 33 ), physical inactivity ( 32 , 34 ), body weight status and obesity ( 32 , 35 ), and lack of social engagement ( 36 , 37 ) were associated with MM. Furthermore, demographic factors, such as older age ( 15 , 29 ) and female sex ( 29 , 38 , 39 ), lower socioeconomic status ( 38 , 40 ), lifestyle factors, such as smoking ( 41 ), alcohol use ( 42 ), physical inactivity ( 40 , 43 , 44 ), body weight status and obesity ( 40 , 41 ), low social capital ( 15 ) and low social interaction ( 44 ) were associated with functional disability.…”

Factors associated with functional disability in older adults with cataract: integrative review

“…In the study that analyzed secondary data from 11,177 older Brazilians, a prevalence of functional incapacity for IADL was 28.0%, and for BADL, 15.5% 11 ; similarly, in a systematic review conducted with older people in China, the prevalence of functional disability was 26.2%, being 20.5% for BADL, and higher among women (28.5%) compared to men (22.7%) 12 . In the survey among 1,750 individuals aged 60 years and over assisted by Family Health Strategy teams, in Montes Claros (MG), it was observed that 71.3% of the older people with cataract were dependent for performing ADLs 5 .…”

Determinants of functional disability trajectories: An assessment of the disablement model and life‐course perspective

“…In this increasingly aging society, functional disability has been an intractable health problem faced by older Chinese, with a prevalence rate estimated at 26.2% in 2021. 7 To tackle the challenges of aging and maintain older people's physical functioning, the Chinese government issued the first national policy of Healthy Ageing for the wellbeing of older persons in 2017. 8 Thus, understanding the operating mechanism of functional disability progression among older Chinese is imperative in serving the healthy aging vision and achieving Target 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals.…”