The 6-min walk test: a quick measure of functional status in elderly adults

OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlates of the total 6-min walk distance (6MWD) in a population sample of adults > or = 68 years old. METHODS: The standardized 6-min walk test (6MWT) was administered to the Cardiovascular Health Study cohort during their seventh annual examination. RESULTS: Of the 3,333 participants with a clinic visit, 2,281 subjects (68%) performed the 6MWT. There were no untoward events. The mean 6MWD was 344 m (SD, 88 m). Independent general correlates of a shorter 6MWD in linear regression models in women and men included the following: older age, higher weight, larger waist, weaker grip strength, symptoms of depression, and decreased mental status. Independent disease or risk factor correlates of a shorter 6MWD included the following: a low ankle BP, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and arthritis in men and women; higher C-reactive protein, diastolic hypertension, and lower FEV(1) in women; and the use of digitalis in men. Approximately 30% of the variance in 6MWD was explained by the linear regression models. Newly described bivariate associations of a shorter 6MWD included impaired activities of daily living; self-reported poor health; less education; nonwhite race; a history of coronary heart disease, transient ischemic attacks, stroke, or diabetes; and higher levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, or WBC count. CONCLUSIONS: Most community-dwelling elderly persons can quickly and safely perform this functional status test in the outpatient clinic setting. The test may be used clinically to measure the impact of multiple comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, lung disease, arthritis, diabetes, and cognitive dysfunction and depression, on exercise capacity and endurance in older adults. Expected values should be adjusted for the patient's age, gender, height, and weight.     

Nutritional assessment of adults and elderly and the nutritional status of the Brazilian population

Nutritional disorders (undernutrition and obesity) are associated to increases in morbidity and mortality. This paper consists on a review of literature with the purpose of describing the main methods of nutritional assessment, in order to facilitate the diagnosis of nutritional disorders and the follow-up of dietetics interventions. It describes the clinical method, details procedures of anthropometry and laboratory evaluation and enrolls some of the multiple indices used for diagnosis and prognosis. Information about bioelectric impedance is given. Some aspects of non-conventional methods are reminded. Nutritional status of the Brazilian population is discussed, using the analysis of data collected from three populational surveys (1974, 1989, and 1997).     

Assessment of pneumonia in older adults: effect of functional status

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the effect of preadmission functional status on severity of pneumonia, length of hospital stay (LOS), and all-cause 30-day and 1-year mortality of adults aged 60 and older and to understand the effect of pneumonia on short-term functional impairment. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twelve patients with radiograph-proven pneumonia (mean age 74.6) were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS: Functional status and comorbidities were assessed using the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF) and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Clinical information was used to calculate the Pneumonia Prognostic Index (PPI). RESULTS: Eighty-four (75%) patients were functionally independent (FI) before admission, with a SMAF score of 40 or lower. Dementia and aspiration history were higher in the group that was functionally dependent (FD) before admission (P<.001). The FI group had less-severe pneumonia per the PPI and shorter mean LOS+/-standard deviation (5.62+/-0.51 days) than the FD group (11.42+/-2.58, P<.004). The FI group had lower 1-year mortality (19/65, 23%) than the FD group (14/28, 50%), and the difference remained significant after adjusting for Charlson Index and severity of illness (P=.009). All patients lost function after admission, with loss being more pronounced in the FI group (mean change 19.24+/-12.9 vs 4.72+/-6.55, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Older adults who were FI before admission were more likely to present with less-severe pneumonia and have a shorter LOS. In addition, further loss of function was common in these patients. Assessment of function before and during hospitalization should be an integral part of clinical evaluation in all older adults with pneumonia.     

Normative data for elderly adults: the Maine-Syracuse study

The primary objective of this study was to provide supplementary normative data on aging and cognition from an ongoing community-based study. This dementia- and stroke-free sample (age range = 70-89; mean = 77.5) consisted of 228 women and 155 men participating in the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study at waves 6 to 7 (2001-2009). The authors employed a battery of 23 widely utilized clinical cognitive tests. In this cross-sectional study, the authors focus on subjects 70 to 79 (n = 248) and 80 to 89 (n = 135) years old, and provide preliminary data for a smaller number of subjects aged 90 to 98 years old (n = 14). More highly educated and younger participants exhibited better performance on cognitive tests. Education was not significantly associated with every cognitive outcome, nor was age cohort membership. The addition of cardiovascular disease (CVD)/health variables to a model including age, education, and gender main effects provided statistically significant increases in R2 (range = .021-.084) of performance on some tests. Results are discussed in relation to this study's value with respect to determining cognitive impairment in individuals free from probable dementia or stroke.     

Multimorbidity and functional status in community-dwelling older adults

BackgroundMultimorbidity is common in older people and may contribute to many adverse health events, such as disability. The aim of the study was to investigate how chronic health conditions (single, paired, and grouped) affect functional independence.MethodWe used two samples (a one-time, convenience sample and a nationally representative cross-sectional survey) of community-dwelling people of 65 years old or over, with a total of 2818 subjects in Spain. To assess functional independence, we used the Barthel index, administered as an interview. Information about the presence of 11 chronic health problems was collected by interview or review of their medical chart. Explanatory factor analysis was performed to assess associations between chronic health conditions.ResultsDiabetes mellitus and hypertension emerged as the pair of chronic health conditions that most affected functional status [OR 1.98; 95% CI (1.51–2.60)], followed by visual and hearing impairment. A synergistic effect was found (p < 0.05) for the cardiovascular disease and hypertension pair. Four multimorbidity groups emerged from the factor analysis: sensory and bone; cancer, lung and gastrointestinal; cardiovascular and metabolic; neuropsychiatric disorders. The neuropsychiatric disorders group was the most strongly associated with physical impairment [OR 4.94; 95% CI (2.71–8.99)], followed by the sensory and bones group [OR 1.90; 95% CI (1.56–2.31)].ConclusionDespite its low prevalence, the neuropsychiatric disorders group was most strongly associated with lower functional status. Analysis of the relationship between chronic medical conditions and functional status could be useful to develop primary health care strategies to improve functional independence in older people with comorbidities.     

Depression is common and precludes accurate assessment of functional status in elderly patients with congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) and depression are independently known to result in physical decline and diminished functional capacity in the general population. The prevalence and relationship of depressive symptoms in CHF to physical limitations has not been objectively examined. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to ascertain depressive symptoms in 33 elderly ambulatory individuals with CHF. Self-report assessment of functional status, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), and measurement of energy expenditure by doubly labeled water and Caltrac Accelerometer (Muscle Dynamics, Torrance, CA) were performed. Depressed and nondepressed groups were compared. Forty-two percent of the patients scored in the depressed range (CES-D score of 16 or greater). There were no differences in demographic variables or severity of illness between the depressed and nondepressed patients. Energy expenditure was comparable across groups. Although obtaining similar maximal heart rate and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) on CPX, the depressed group showed less exertion on exercise testing with a significantly lower respiratory quotient (P = .017). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms were common and unrelated to the severity of CHF. Although depressed individuals tended to report worse physical functioning than nondepressed individuals, objective assessment of energy expenditure was comparable. Depressed patients appear to underestimate their functional ability. Subsequently, inaccurate assessment of functional status may occur.     

Outcome predictors of pneumonia in elderly patients: importance of functional assessment

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) seen at an acute-care hospital, analyzing the importance of CAP severity, functional status, comorbidity, and frailty. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Emergency department and geriatric medical day hospital of a university teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-nine patients aged 65 and older seen for CAP over a 6-month recruitment period. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical data were used to calculate Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), Barthel Index (BI), Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Hospital Admission Risk Profile (HARP). Patients were then assessed 15 days later to determine functional decline and 30 days and 18 months later for mortality and readmission. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze outcomes. RESULTS: Functional decline was observed in 23% of the 93 survivors. Within the 30-day period, case-fatality rate was 6% and readmission rate 11%; 18-month rates were 24% and 59%, respectively. Higher BI was a protective factor for 30-day and 18-month mortality (odds ratio (OR)=0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.94-0.98 and OR=0.97, 95% CI=0.95-0.99, respectively; P<.01), and PSI was the only predictor for functional decline (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.01-1.05; P=.01). Indices did not predict readmission. Analyses were repeated for the 74 inpatients and indicated similar results except for 18-month mortality, which HARP predicted (OR=1.73; 95% CI=1.16-2.57; P<.01). CONCLUSION: Functional status was an independent predictor for short- and long-term mortality in hospitalized patients whereas CAP severity predicted functional decline. Severity indices for CAP should possibly thus be adjusted in the elderly population, taking functional status assessment into account.     

Subjective memory assessment and test performance in elderly adults

The everyday memory of a group of elderly adults was assessed using techniques developed for use with younger head-injured people (Sunderland et al., 1983). The participants completed a memory questionnaire and a daily checklist; their spouses gave their assessment using a separate questionnaire. These subjective methods showed only moderate agreement, and the questionnaire had low test-retest reliability. It appears that these methods of subjective memory assessment have little validity when used with normal elderly adults. Two positive findings did emerge: As in previous studies, a story recall test was the strongest predictor of reported memory performance; and despite a universal belief among elderly adults that their memory had deteriorated with age, very few of them felt that they were at all handicapped by forgetfulness in everyday life.     

Integrating assessment of cognitive status in elderly cardiovascular care

Cardiovascular clinicians tend to pay little attention to issues related to cognition, and yet those caring for older adults will encounter a variety of conditions that may lead to cognitive impairment. Most commonly, these include cardiovascular disease-specific conditions such as cerebrovascular disease or heart failure, but may also include neurodegenerative conditions, mood disorders, medication side effects and polypharmacy, and nutritional deficiencies and metabolic derangements among others. This review presents evidence supporting the importance of assessing cognitive status in older adults with cardiovascular disease, and suggests a practical approach to assessment and management of cognitive impairment in this population when it is found. Special attention is paid to the importance of collaboration between cardiovascular and geriatric specialists, and the value it may bring to patients.     

老年人不同甲状腺功能状态下脂代谢特征与氧化应激的关系

目的 探讨老年人不同甲状腺功能状态下脂代谢特征与氧化应激的关系.方法 初诊老年甲状腺疾病患者86例[甲状腺功能亢进(甲亢)47例,甲状腺功能减退(甲减)39例]、非老年甲状腺疾病患者83例(甲亢43例,甲减40例)和老年健康对照组20例.检测空腹血浆丙二醛(MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD),氧化型低密度脂蛋白(OX-LDL)水平,同时测定血脂指标及甲状腺功能,计算SOD/MDA比值.结果 老年甲亢组血脂各组分均高于非老年甲亢组、低于老年对照组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);老年甲亢组与非老年甲亢组、老年对照组比较,丙二醛[分别为(10.23±6.29)、(7.37±4.58)μmol/L和(3.66±2.53)μmol/L]、游离脂肪酸(FFA)[分别为(0.86±0.58)、(0.61±0.46)mmol/L和(0.45士0.12)mmol/L]和SOD显著升高(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).老年甲减组与非老年甲减组和老年对照组比较,MDA[(9.03±5.98)、(6.59±3.18)μmol/L和(3.66±2.53)μmol/L]、OX-LDL[(387.36±71.04)、(355.22±45.01)μg/L和(324.53±56.19)μg/L]及部分血脂组分均显著增高(P＜0.05或P＜O.01).老年甲亢组、甲减组SOD/MDA比值均低于老年对照组和非老年组(均为P＜0.01).多元回归分析,甲亢组游离甲状腺素(FT4)和FFA是影响MDA的因素,甲减组非HDL-C和LDL-C与MDA独立相关.结论 初诊老年甲亢和甲减患者氧化应激增强,氧化损伤程度与脂代谢紊乱有关.     

Haemophilia Utilization Group Study: assessment of functional health status in haemophilia

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between health care and utilization of that health care, and to provide a base measurement of health status in patients with haemophilia. Provider interview and retrospective chart review of 336 patients with haemophilia treated during 1995 at one of five comprehensive haemophilia treatment centres was conducted to measure patient health status characteristics and utilization of health care. Two health status scales were included. The first, the Self-Care Measure, was a four-point single item scale measuring the patient's ability for basic self-care, which was scored by a chart review and an interview with the health-care provider. The second, the Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS) Functional Status Measure, is a four-item, 10-point scale developed specifically for patients with haemophilia. Our sample represents 27% of actively treated patients in region IX. The mean score on the HUGS Functional Status Measure was 8.7 (SD=2.4). The HUGS scale exhibited a ceiling effect across all four scales: attitude (n=269, 80.1%), overall wellbeing (n=263, 78.3%), working (n=254, 75.6%) and orthopaedic status (n=195, 58.0%). Both higher total health-care costs and factor VIII annual costs were significantly associated with lower scores on the HUGS Functional Status Measure. Health status is a critical component in the assessment of the utilization and outcomes of care. In the absence of the availability of a patient interview, the HUGS Functional Status Measure can be used as one characteristic that explains the variation in the utilization of health care by patients with haemophilia.     

The effects of positive and negative life changes on the self-reported health status of elderly adults

We examined the effects of (a) positive and negative life changes and (b) social support upon the self-reported health status of 187 elderly public housing tenants. Our interview included the Multilevel Assessment Instrument, from which we derived physical health and social support scores, and an evaluation of change in 14 areas. Experiencing change correlated inversely, although weakly, with health (R2 = .05); however, negative changes were more predictive of health status than were total changes (R2 = .25). In multivariate analyses, persons who were older and experienced more positive and less negative changes during the preceding year reported better health (R2 = .30). Social support had neither a direct nor interactive effect (with life change) upon health. We conclude that studies on life changes should separate positive from negative events. Also, more research on the measurement of social support for elderly adults is needed.     

Greek centenarians: assessment of functional health status and life-style characteristics

Centenarians represent an intriguing model for ageing studies, since they demonstrate extreme longevity by definition, and at the same time a proportion of them have aged successfully. Here, we present data from the first nationwide study on Greek centenarians concerning their functional health status and life-style characteristics. We have identified 489 individuals (77% women) born in 1900 or before who were still alive between the years 2000 and 2002. Socio-demographic characteristics, activities of daily living (ADLs), living conditions, dependence on other people, former and current diseases and health disorders, current medication, nutrition and personal habits were recorded for every subject. Interestingly, only 2% of Greek centenarians lived in nursing homes, while the majority lived with their family or relatives. Furthermore, 6% were free from severe health disorders, autonomous (based on simple criteria for ADLs) and also leading an active social life, and hence may be considered as being in optimal condition. This group of centenarians may serve as a valuable source of information on genetic, environmental, and psychosocial determinants of successful ageing.     

不同甲状腺功能状态血清胃促生长素水平的变化

探讨不同甲状腺功能状态下血清胃促生长素水平的变化及其与体重指数、腰臀比、甲状腺功能、血糖、胰岛素及胰岛素抵抗的关系.初诊甲状腺功能亢进症(甲亢)患者50例及甲状腺功能减退症(甲减)患者30例,测定其治疗前及甲状腺功能恢复正常后空腹血清胃促生长素、胰岛紊、血糖、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT_3)、游离甲状腺素(FT_4)和促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平,同时测量身高、体重、腰围、臀围,计算体重指数、腰臀比、稳态模型评估的胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)等,以健康对照者30例为对照.甲亢患者治疗前血清胃促生长素水平低于正常对照组[(63.2±9.6)ng/L对(80.9±13.9)ng/L,P<0.01],经多元逐步回归分析提示HOMA-IR是胃促生长素的独立影响因素(r=-0.314,P=0.027).甲状腺功能减退症患者,治疗前后胃促生长素水平和正常对照组比较均无明显差异(均P0.05).本研究提示,在不同甲状腺功能状态下,胰岛素抵抗可能是胃促生长素水平改变的重要影响因素.     

Functional assessment of elderly patients after percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty: New York Heart Association classification versus functional status questionnaire

Monitoring functional status in patients with cardiac disease has traditionally been done by using the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification system. For various reasons, we found the NYHA system difficult to apply to elderly patients. We proposed that the functional status questionnaire (FSQ), which measures the ability to perform tasks, would more accurately assess the functional status of the elderly. In a study in 37 patients with a mean age of 76 years, who had aortic stenosis, we measured FSQ and NYHA scores at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. The difference in questionnaires was evident by the 3-month measurement. Individual patients were better evaluated by the FSQ. Six patients had an FSQ score of less than 72 (suggesting severe functional impairment) at 3 months but only two patients gave symptoms scored as NYHA class III or IV (cardiac disability). Five of six patients had a recurrent cardiac event subsequent to the 3-month follow-up. Changes in functional performance preceded symptomatic deterioration that was reflected only by the FSQ scores. The FSQ system more reliably predicted outcome than the NYHA system and appears to be a more useful tool in the evaluation of elderly patients with cardiac disease.