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.
Highlights
Older adults with mobility impairments are prone to reduced health related quality of life (HRQoL) is highly associated with mobility impairments
We conducted all of the above analyses using the log10 transformed EQ-5D-3 L health state utility values (HSUVs)
When the analyses were run separately for males and females using the complete case set, we found that for males (n = 51), baseline Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was not associated with baseline EQ-5D HSUVs (B = .02, p = .295) but there was a trend for SPPB to predict change in EQ-5D HSUVs over time (B = .04, p = .081)
Summary
Older adults with mobility impairments are prone to reduced health related quality of life (HRQoL) is highly associated with mobility impairments. Ascertaining factors explaining variation among individuals’ quality of life is critical for promoting healthy ageing, among older fallers. 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. A more recent shift is recognizing that poor health related quality of life (HRQoL) may be a critical marker of other adverse health outcomes [1]. Davis et al Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (2015) 13:101 that explain variation in HRQoL over time in this population of fallers at risk for poor HRQoL. Given that mobility is a key predictor of HRQoL it is critical to assess factors that explain changes in HRQoL over time in fallers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
