When You Can't Walk a Mile: Walking Limitation Prevalence and Associations Among Middle-Aged and Older US Adults with Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study

Association between chronic disease, sensory impairment, walking limitation, and activities of daily living of community-dwelling older Indians

Due to the paucity of existing evidence, this study aims to investigate the relationship between chronic disease, sensory impairment, walking limitation, and difficulty in activities of daily living (ADLs) in community-dwelling older Indians. This cross-sectional study included data from 31,394 individuals aged ≥ 60 years from the 2017 to 2018 Longitudinal Ageing Study in India. Participants were divided into 2 groups: 12,993 with chronic disease, sensory impairment, and a walking limitation, and 18,401 healthy individuals without such conditions. Participants with any chronic disease were further divided into 2 groups: sensory impairment (n = 12,462), and a walking limitation (n = 4745). Self-reported close-ended questionnaires with yes or no were used to assess each chronic disease (such as hypertension, diabetes, lung disorders, joint disorders, or heart disease), sensory impairment (vision or hearing), and walking limitation. A walking limitation was defined as being when a person could only walk at their usual pace for less than 500 meters on a flat surface. ADLs were assessed and classified as physical ADLs including basic physical requirements like dressing. Instrumental ADLs (IADLs) included more complicated community-based tasks like meal preparation. Findings showed that older Indians with chronic disease, sensory impairment, and a walking limitation were more likely to be significantly associated with physical ADLs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34-1.57, P < .0001) and IADLs (aOR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.70-2.03, P < .0001) than those without such conditions. Among older Indians with chronic disease, sensory impairment was more likely associated with physical ADLs (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.82-2.16, P < .0001) and IADLs (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.15-1.37, P < .0001) followed by a walking limitation (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.42-1.65, P < .0001; aOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.17-1.38, P < .0001, respectively). These findings suggest that older Indians with chronic disease, sensory impairment, and walking limitation, can experience increased difficulty in overall and individual physical ADL and IADL than those without these conditions. Older Indians with any chronic condition who had sensory impairment or a walking limitation were also more likely to have difficulty with physical ADLs and IADLs.

Community ambulation in older adults and people with OA - a model verification using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) data

BACKGROUND

There are health and well-being benefits of community ambulation; however, many older adults do not regularly walk outside of their home. Objectives were to estimate the associations between latent constructs related to community ambulation in older adults aged 65-85 (65+), and in adults with osteoarthritis (OA) aged 45-85.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis of the comprehensive baseline and maintaining contact questionnaire data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA) was completed. Based on a previous model of community ambulation post-stroke, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to develop measurement and structural models for two groups: older adults 65+ and people with OA. Multi-group SEM was conducted to test measurement invariance across sex and age groups. Measurement models were developed for the following latent factors: ambulation (frequency of walking outside/week, hours walked/day, ability to walk without help, frequency and aids used in different settings); health perceptions (general health, pain frequency/intensity); timed functional mobility (gait speed, timed up-and-go, sit-to-stand, balance). Variables of depression, falls, age, sex, and fear of walking alone at night were covariates in the structural models.

RESULTS

Data were used from 11,619 individuals in the 65+ group (mean age 73 years ±6, 49% female) and 5546 individuals in the OA group (mean age 67 ± 10, 60% female). The final 65+ model had a close fit with RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.018 (0.017, 0.019), CFI = 0.91, SRMR = 0.09. For the OA group, RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.021 (0.020, 0.023), CFI = 0.92, SRMR = 0.07. Health perceptions and timed functional mobility had a positive association with ambulation. Depression was associated with ambulation through negative associations with health perceptions and timed functional mobility. Multi-group SEM results reveal the measurement model was retained for males and females in the 65+ group, for males and females and for age groups (65+, < 65) in the OA group.

CONCLUSIONS

The community ambulation model post-stroke was verified with adults aged 65+ and for those with OA. The models of community ambulation can be used to frame and conceptualize community ambulation research and clinical interventions.

Factors associated with social participation and community ambulation in people with osteoarthritis: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

AIM

Walking in the community allows participation in meaningful activities which positively influences self-rated health and quality of life. Our objective was to identify factors associated with social participation and community ambulation in a representative sample of Canadian adults with osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Data were from >3800 participants in the Baseline Tracking Dataset of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging with OA of the hip and/or knee. Outcomes included frequency of participation in 8 community-based activities (past year, social participation), and frequency walking outside the home (past 7 days, community ambulation). Explanatory variables (15 for social participation, 11 for community ambulation) established in previous literature were evaluated. Variables significant in univariate binary logistic regression models were entered into multivariable models.

RESULTS

Frequency of social participation was greater for females, and individuals with higher levels of education. Those who were younger, dissatisfied with life, and had difficulty walking 2-3 blocks were less likely to participate. Having fewer chronic conditions, being younger, being single/widowed and being interviewed in spring/summer were associated with more frequent ambulation. Lower self-rated health, difficulty walking 2-3 blocks, pain and being female were associated with less frequent walking outside the home.

CONCLUSION

Many factors influence frequency of social participation and community ambulation. The ability to walk short distances is positively associated with both outcomes. This important factor can and should be addressed clinically to improve health and quality of life in people with OA.