Socioeconomic inequalities and healthy life expectancy among the oldest-old in China: a comparison of two cohorts across two decades.

This study aims to explore the relationship between sleep duration and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) disability among older adults in China. ADL disability severely impacts the quality of life of older adults and is associated with various physical and mental health issues. With the aging population in China, the burden of ADL disability is increasing. Data were sourced from the 2018 national follow-up of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), including 9,572 participants aged 65 and above. Sleep duration was assessed via self-reported questionnaire and categorized into short (<7 h), medium (7-8 h), and long (≥9 h). ADL disability was evaluated through Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between sleep duration and ADL disability, with subgroup analyses conducted to explore differences by gender and physical activity. The study found a significant non-linear relationship between sleep duration and ADL disability. Compared to older adults with a sleep duration of 7-8 h, those with over 9 h of sleep had a significantly higher risk of BADL and IADL disability (OR = 1.36, OR = 1.35). Subgroup analyses indicated that this relationship existed among older adults of different genders, age, and physical activity levels. For older adults in China, maintaining a sleep duration of 7-8 h may be an effective strategy for preventing ADL disability. Both excessively long and short sleep duration are associated with an increased risk of ADL disability in this population.

We included older adults 65 years of age or older from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Our exposure was Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in 500 m radius around residence. Our outcome was ADL and IADL. We used binary logistic regression and mixed-effects logistic regression to estimate the odds of ADL and IADL disabilities. A total of 36,803 and 32,316 participants were included for the analysis of ADL and IADL, with 71.6% free of ADL disability and 47.3% free of IADL disability. In the logistic regression model, compared with the participants living in the lowest quartile of residential greenness, those in the highest quartile had a 28% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.65, 0.79) lower odds of ADL disability and a 14% (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.77, 0.95) lower odds of IADL disability. A similar association was found in the mixed-effects logistic regression models. During the follow-up period, 5,004 and 4,880 healthy participants developed ADL and IADL disabilities. Per 0.1-unit increase in baseline annual average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was related to an OR of 0.95 of developing ADL disability (95% CI = 0.93, 0.98) and IADL disability (95% CI = 0.91, 0.98). Our study suggests that increasing green space is associated with lower odds of ADL and IADL disabilities, which may reduce caregiver burden of long-term care for Chinese older adults.

This study analyzes the healthy life expectancy (HLE) of older adults in China since the 1990s, utilizing data from China's sixth (2010) and seventh (2020) National Population Censuses and the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), conducted from 1998 to 2018. By applying the Sullivan method for estimating HLE, the study examines trends in HLE and assesses the impacts of mortality and morbidity rates on HLE through counterfactual analysis. It differentiates measurements of health status: the census uses self-reported ability of living independently, while CLHLS uses the activities of daily living (ADL) scale. The results from both data sources indicate an increase in HLE as a proportion of overall life expectancy for the elderly in China since the 1990s, which suggests a “compression of morbidity”. The CLHLS findings align with those based on the census data. Monitoring HLE is crucial for tracking the health status of the elderly in China and can offer valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare providers in enacting strategies that enhance the health and overall well-being of the senior population.

the identification of modifiable risk factors for preventing disability in older individuals is essential for planning preventive strategies. to identify cross-sectional correlates of disability and risk factors for the development activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) disability in community-dwelling older adults. the study population consisted of 897 subjects aged 65-102 years from the InCHIANTI study, a population-based cohort in Tuscany (Italy). Factors potentially associated with high risk of disability were measured at baseline (1998-2000), and disability in ADLs and IADLs were assessed both at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up (2001-03). the baseline prevalence of ADL disability and IADL disability were, respectively, 5.5% (49/897) and 22.2% (199/897). Of 848 participants free of ADL disability at baseline, 72 developed ADL disability and 25 of the 49 who were already disabled had a worsening in ADL disability over a 3-year follow-up. Of 698 participants without IADL disability at baseline, 100 developed IADL disability and 104 of the 199 who already had IADL disability had a worsening disability in IADL over 3 years. In a fully adjusted model, high level of physical activity compared to sedentary state was significantly associated with lower incidence rates of both ADL and IADL disability at the 3-year follow-up visit (odds ratio (OR): 0.30; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.12-0.76 for ADL disability and OR: 0.18; 95% CI 0.09-0.36 for IADL disability). After adjusting for multiple confounders, higher energy intake (OR for difference in 100 kcal/day: 1.09; 95% CI 1.02-1.15) and hypertension (OR: 1.91; 95% CI 1.06-3.43) were significant risk factors for incident or worsening ADL disability. higher level of physical activity and lower energy intake may be protective against the development in ADL and IADL disability in older persons.

The associations of physical disabilities with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in diabetic patients remains less explored. Purpose: We investigated the associations of activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL (IADL), and functional limitation (FL) disabilities with CVD mortality among diabetic men and women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Methods: Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to examine the associations of ADL, IADL, and FL disabilities with CVD mortality in men and women after adjustment for covariates. We followed 2,255 men and women, aged 20 to 90 years, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1988-1994, 199-2014). All participants completed baseline demographics and health factors, including blood lipid profiles. Diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting glucose level ≥126 mg/dL, a nonfasting glucose level ≥200 mg/dL, use of hypoglycemic agents, or a history of physician-diagnosed diabetes mellitus. ADL disability was defined as those who had any difficulties in dressing, eating, getting out of bed, or walking a room to another room. IADL disability was defined as those who had any difficulties in preparing meals, managing money, or doing chores around the house. FL disability was defined as those who had any limitations in mobility performance (walking 0.25 mile, climbing 10 stairs, lifting/carrying 10 pounds, or standing from a chair). Results: During an average of 15.5 years of follow-up (34,939 person-years), there were a total of 382 CVD deaths. There were direct relationships between the number of ADL, IADL, and FL with CVD mortality after adjustment for age, sex, race, and other CVD risk covariates (All P&lt;0.007). After adjustment for multiple risk factors, the risks of CVD mortality for ADL, IADL, and FL disabilities were (95% CI) 2.01 (1.60, 2.51), 1.99 (1.60, 2.48), and 1.97 (1.59, 2.44), respectively, compared with their counterparts. After further adjustment for chronic medical conditions (personal history of coronary heart disease, stroke, or cancer), diabetic persons with ADL disability had 1.94 times (1.5, 2.43), with IADL disability had 1.93 times (1.54, 2.41), and with FL disability had 1.94 times (1.56, 2.40) the risk of CVD mortality as compared with their counterparts, respectively. The associations remained but were attenuated after further excluding these patients with chronic diseases. The risks of CVD mortality in diabetic persons with ADL, IADL, and FL disabilities were (95% CI) 1.78 (1.30, 2.43), 1.66 (1.22, 2.27), and 1.43 (1.09, 1.89), respectively, compared with their counterparts, after excluding these chronic disease patients. Conclusion: Diabetic persons with ADL, IADL, and FL disabilities had a greater risk of CVD mortality. The American Heart Association should establish exercise and dietary guidelines for diabetic persons with physical disabilities.

Tooth Loss Trajectories and Their Association with Functional Disability among Older Chinese Adults: Results from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Physical functioning is related to both an impaired physical ability and ADL disability: A ten year follow-up study in middle-aged and older persons

To identify key factors affecting all-cause mortality in the elderly aged 80 years and above. Data from Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2011-2018) were utilized (N = 3993). A healthy lifestyle score was obtained by assigning 8 factors: smoking, drinking, exercise, sleep duration, social activity, waist circumference, BMI, and healthful plant-based diet index. Cox regression and decision tree model were used to identify factors influencing the mortality risk. Lifestyle and activities of daily living (ADL) were 2 of the most important modifiable factors influencing the mortality risk of the oldest seniors. A higher healthy lifestyle score was associated with lower mortality risk. The HR (95% CI) of death risk in Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 0.91 (0.81-1.01), 0.78 (0.71-0.86), and 0.64 (0.58-0.71), respectively, when compared with the Q1 group of healthy lifestyle score. Elderly with ADL disability had a higher mortality rate than those without ADL disability. When the elderly already have ADL disability, the healthier the lifestyle, the lower the mortality rate. Among individuals aged 80 to 89 years with ADL disability, the mortality rate was higher in the healthy lifestyle score Q1-Q2 groups (92.1%) than that in the Q3-Q4 groups (71.6%). Similar results were observed among subjects aged 90 to 99 years with ADL disability (Q1-Q2: 97.9%, Q3-Q4: 92.1%). For centenarians without ADL disability, maintaining a healthy lifestyle significantly reduced mortality (Q1-Q3: 90.5%, Q4: 75.5%). Caregivers should prioritize the consideration of lifestyle and ADL in their healthcare practices of the oldest old.

Do subclinical vascular abnormalities precede impaired physical ability and ADL disability?

BackgroundsLittle is known about the role of frailty in the recovery process of disability among older adults. We examined the association between frailty and recovery from activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) disability among community-dwelling Chinese older adults.MethodsData were from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Three waves were used. Participants ≥60 years, had frailty assessment at baseline, and had incident disability in ADL or IADL in 2013, and had disability assessment in 2015 were included. Recovery from ADL and IADL disability were used as outcome measure. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the potential association between frailty and recovery from ADL or IADL.ResultsWe included 516 and 598 participants in the ADL and IADL analysis, respectively. In total, 237 participants recovered from ADL disability and 293 recovered from IADL disability. Nearly half of the non-frail persons recovered from ADL disability, while less than one-quarter of the frail persons had recovery. Over half of the non-frail persons had IADL disability recovery, while only 30% of the frail recovered. After adjustment, the odds of recovery from ADL disability were 59% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1, 83%) lower among frail participants than those who were non-frail; the odds of recovery from IADL disability were 52% lower among frail persons than those who were non-frail and the association did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsFrailty is an independent predictor of poor recovery from disability among nondisabled community-dwelling older adults in China.

BackgroundHunger is an important public health issue. This study aims to explore the impact of childhood hunger experiences (CHEs) on activities of daily living (ADL) disability and to discover the mediating role of depression on this correlation.MethodsData were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020. Depression was assessed using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. ADL disability, basic ADL (BADL) disability and instrumental ADL (IADL) disability were assessed using the ADL scale. The relationships between CHEs, depression and ADL disability were estimated using probit methods, and the mediating effect of depression was estimated using the stepwise regression test and bootstrap methods.ResultsA total of 9,905 sample were included in the study. The study found that CHEs increased ADL disability by approximately 9.1% (β = 0.091, 95% CI: 0.028, 0.154), and increased the probability of IADL disability by approximately 8.0% (β = 0.080, 95% CI: 0.016, 0.144). CHEs increased ADL disability by approximately 29.8% (β = 0.298, 95% CI: 0.202, 0.393) in samples under 60 years of age. CHEs indirectly increased ADL (β = 0.062, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.124) by increasing the probability of depression.ConclusionCHEs predicted ADL disability, and depression mediated this correlation. There is a need to focus on the impact of CHEs on mental and physical health. In particular, focusing on mental health is necessary to prevent impairment of physical functioning.

ImportanceBody mass index (BMI) shows a U-shaped association with impaired physical functioning among adults; the association is reduced or eliminated with aging.ObjectiveTo examine whether BMI is associated with subsequent disability in activities of daily living (ADL) in Chinese adults age 80 years or older.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsData were obtained on 16 022 adults age 80 years or older who were able to perform ADL independently at baseline from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study, a community-based prospective cohort study conducted in 23 provinces of China. The study was initiated in 1998, with follow-up and recruitment of new participants in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, and 2014.Main Outcomes and MeasuresDisability in ADL was defined as dependence in eating, toileting, bathing, dressing, indoor activities, and/or continence.ResultsAmong the 16 022 participants, 45.2% were men and 54.8% were women, with a mean (SD) age of 92.2 (7.2) years and a mean (SD) BMI (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 19.3 (3.8). During 70 606 person-years of follow-up, 8113 participants with disability in ADL were identified. Cox proportional hazards regression models with penalized splines showed that BMI was linearly associated with disability in ADL: each 1-kg/m2 increase in BMI corresponded to a 4.5% decrease in the risk of disability in ADL. In comparison with individuals in the fourth quintile for BMI, the adjusted hazard ratio for disability in ADL was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.29-1.48) in the first quintile, 1.37 (95% CI, 1.28-1.47) in the second quintile, 1.11 (95% CI, 1.04-1.19) in the third quintile, and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79-0.91) in the fifth quintile (P < .001 for trend). When BMI was categorized by Chinese guidelines, the underweight group (BMI <18.5) showed significantly increased risk of disability in ADL (hazard ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.28-1.41) and the overweight or obese group (BMI ≥24.0) showed significantly decreased risk of disability in ADL (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.78-0.91) compared with the normal weight group (BMI 18.5 to <24.0) (P < .001 for trend).Conclusions and RelevanceHigher BMI was associated with a lower risk of disability in ADL among Chinese adults age 80 years or older, which suggests that current recommendations for BMI may need to be revisited. More attention should be paid on underweight, rather than overweight or obesity, for the prevention of disability in ADL after age 80 years.

Cognitive Functioning as a Predictor of Functional Disability in Later Life

BACKGROUND: Disabilities among older adults are associated with cumulative adversities such as low socioeconomic status (SES), poor nutrition, and lack of access to medical care and education. However, there is little evidence on the long-term association between education and disability status among older adults in Iceland. The aim of the study was to examine the association between mid-life education and prevalence of disability in activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility disability in late-life using 25 years of longitudinal data. METHODS: A large community-based population residing in Reykjavik, Iceland participated in a longitudinal study with an average of 25 years of follow-up (N=5764, mean age 77±6 yrs, 57.7% of women) Mid-life education was categorized into 2 groups (primary and secondary versus college and university). Disability status in late life was defined with ADL and mobility disability with a binary outcome (no difficulty versus any difficulty). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association. RESULTS: After controlling for age and gender, and midlife health risk factors, those who had high education at mid-life were less likely to have ADL disability (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.75, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.64 ~ 0.88, P ≤ 0.001) and mobility disability (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61 ~ 0.86, P < 0.001) compared with those who had low education in mid-life. CONCLUSION: People with high mid-life education were less likely to have ADL and mobility disability after 25 years later.

ObjectiveTo assess the association between muscle parameters (mass, strength, physical performance) and activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (QoL), and health care costs.DesignCross-sectional Maastricht Sarcopenia Study (MaSS).SettingCommunity-dwelling, assisted-living, residential living facility.Participants227 adults aged 65 and older.MeasurementsMuscle mass, hand grip strength and physical performance were assessed by bio-electrical impedance, JAMAR dynamometer and the Short Physical Performance Battery, respectively. Health outcomes were measured by the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (disability in ADL) and the EQ-5D-5L (QoL). Health care costs were calculated based on health care use in the past three months.ResultsMuscle strength and physical performance showed a strong correlation with ADL, QoL, and health care costs (P<.01); for muscle mass no significant correlations were observed. Regression analyses showed that higher gait speed (OR 0.06, 95%CI 0.01-0.55) was associated with a lower probability of ADL disability. Furthermore, slower chair stand (OR 1.23, 95%CI 1.08-1.42), and more comorbidities (OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.23-2.02) were explanatory factors for higher ADL disability. Explanatory factors for QoL and costs were: more disability in ADL (OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.12-1.41 for QoL; B = 0.09, P<.01 for costs) and more comorbidities (OR 1.44, 95%CI 1.14-1.82 for QoL; B = 0.35, P<.01 for costs).ConclusionLower gait speed and chair stand were potential drivers of disability in ADL. Disability in ADL and comorbidities were associated with QoL and health care costs in community-dwelling older adults. Improving physical performance may be a valuable target for future intervention and research to impact health burden and costs.