Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults at Risk for Disability
Background
The number of older adults living in the United States continues to increase, and recent research has begun to target interventions to older adults who have mobility limitations and are at risk for disability. The objective of this study is to describe and examine correlates of health-related quality of life in this population subgroup using baseline data from a larger intervention study.
Methods
The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders-Pilot study (LIFE-P) was a randomized controlled trial that compared a physical activity intervention to a non-exercise educational intervention among 424 older adults at risk for disability. Baseline data (collected in April–December 2004, analyzed in 2006) included demographics, medical history, the Quality of Well-Being Scale (QWB-SA), a timed 400-m walk, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Descriptive health-related quality of life (HRQOL) data are presented. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to examine correlates of HRQOL.
Results
The mean QWB-SA score for the sample was 0.630 on an interval scale ranging from 0.0 (death) to 1.0 (asymptomatic, optimal functioning). The mean of 0.630 is 0.070 lower than a comparison group of healthy older adults. The variables associated with lower HRQOL included white ethnicity, more comorbid conditions, slower 400-m walk times, and lower SPPB balance and chair stand scores.
Conclusions
Older adults who are at risk for disability had reduced HRQOL. Surprisingly, however, mobility was a stronger correlate of HRQOL than an index of comorbidity, suggesting that interventions addressing mobility limitations may provide significant health benefits to this population.
aHealth Services Research and Development Unit, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
bDepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
cDepartment of Health Services, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
dDepartment of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
eDepartment of Health Research and Policy and Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
fDiversity Programs and Research Initiatives, The Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas
gDepartment of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
hDepartment of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Erik J. Groessl, PhD, Health Services Research and Development, VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr. 111 N-1, San Diego CA 92161.
ABSTRACT