AUTHOR=Zhao Yinan , Duan Yunzhu , Feng Hui , Nan Jiahui , Li Xiaoyang , Zhang Hongyu , Xiao Lily Dongxia 

TITLE=Trajectories of physical functioning and its predictors in older adults: A 16-year longitudinal study in China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.923767

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.923767

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Objective: Maintaining and delaying a decline in physical function in older adults is critical for healthy ageing. This study aimed to explore trajectories, critical points of the trajectory changes and predictors among older people in the Chinese community.
Design: This study was one with a longitudinal design performed in China. 
Setting and Participants: The target population was community-dwelling older adults over age 65 years. A total of 2503 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were included in this study.
Methods: Physical functioning was measured by instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Population-based trajectory models were used to identify potential heterogeneity in longitudinal changes over 12 years and to investigate associations between baseline predictors and different trajectories for different cohort members using LASSO regression and logistic regression.
Results: Four trajectories of physical function were identified: slow decline (33.0%), poor function and moderate decline (8.1%), rapid decline (23.5%), and stable function (35.4%). Older age, male sex, worse self-reported health status, worse vision status, more chronic diseases, worse cognitive function, and a decreased frequency of leisure activity influenced changes in the trajectory of physical function. Fewer teeth, stronger depressive symptoms, lack of exercise, and reduced hearing may increase the rate of decline.
Conclusions and Implications: Four trajectories of physical function were identified in the Chinese elderly population. Early prevention or intervention of the determinants of these trajectories can maintain or delay the rate of decline in physical function and improve healthy ageing.