Health-related quality in life in relation to mobility and fall risk in 85-year-old people: a population study in Sweden
2016 (English)In: Ageing & Society, ISSN 0144-686X, E-ISSN 1469-1779, Vol. 36, no 9, p. 1982-1997Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Optimal mobility is fundamental for healthy ageing and quality of life. This study is part of a cross-sectional population-based study of 85-year-old people residing in Linköping municipality, Sweden. The purpose was to describe 85-year-old peoples' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in relation to mobility and fall risk while adjusting for gender and body mass index. Data collection included a postal questionnaire, a home visit and a reception visit. HRQoL was assessed with EQ-5D-3L, mobility with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and fall risk with the Downton Fall Risk Index (DFRI). All those who completed the DFRI, TUG and EQ-5D-3L were included in the present study (N = 327). Lower HRQoL was associated with longer time taken to complete TUG and higher fall risk in both genders but not with body mass index. Women had higher risk of falling, took a longer time to complete TUG and reported less physical activity compared with men. Health-care professionals should address mobility capacity and fall risk in order to maintain quality of life in elderly people. This is of utmost importance, especially for elderly women because impaired mobility, high risk of falling and occurrence of pain are common among women, and related to lower HRQoL.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Cambridge University Press, 2016. Vol. 36, no 9, p. 1982-1997
Keywords [en]
Downton Fall Risk Index;Timed Up and Go;EQ-5D;elderly;gender;body mass index
National Category
Geriatrics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-126586DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X15000896ISI: 000384713200010Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84938855190OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-126586DiVA, id: diva2:915693
Note
Funding agencies: Health Research Council of the South-East of Sweden [FORSS-8888, 11636, 31811]; County of Ostergotland [LIO-11877, 31321, 79951]; Janne Elgqvist Family Foundation
2016-03-302016-03-302025-04-17