The Prediction of ADL and IADL Disability Using Six Physical Indicators of Frailty : A Longitudinal Study in the Netherlands

Abstract EN

Frailty is a predictor of disability.

A proper understanding of the contribution of individual indicators of frailty in the prediction of disability is a requisite for preventive interventions.

The aim of this study was to determine the predictive power of the individual physical frailty indicators: gait speed, physical activity, hand grip strength, Body Mass Index (BMI), fatigue, and balance, for ADL and IADL disability.

The sample consisted of 505 community-dwelling persons (≥75 years, response rate 35.1%).

Respondents first participated between November 2007 and June 2008, and a subset of all respondents participated again one year later (N=264, 52.3% response rate).

ADL and IADL disability were assessed by the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale.

BMI was assessed by self-report, and the other physical frailty indicators were assessed with the TUG test (gait speed), the LAPAQ (physical activity), a hand grip strength test, the SFQ (fatigue), and the Four-test balance scale.

All six physical frailty indicators were associated with ADL and IADL disability.

After controlling for previous disability, sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived lifestyle, and chronic diseases, only gait speed was predictive of both ADL and IADL disability, whereas there was a small effect of fatigue on IADL disability.

Hence, these physical frailty indicators should be included in frailty assessment when predicting future disability.