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Simple Physical Activity Index Predicts Prognosis in Older Adults: Bei**g Longitudinal Study of Aging

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

Frailty, which involves low physical activity (PA), is as a well-established factor of increased risk of hospitalization, disability, and mortality. To date, there are no specific tools to assess PA among Chinese elderly. As part of the Bei**g Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), we aimed to develop the BLSA Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (BLSA-PAQ) and assess its prediction of mortality.

Design

Longitudinal study.

Setting

Community.

Participants

1810 Chinese older adults completed the BLSA-PAQ questionnaire.

Measurements

BLSA-PAQ questionnaire containing four items: walking, outdoor chores, low-intensity exercise, and moderate-intensity exercise. Physical function was assessed through the balance test, chair-stand test, and the activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Frailty was evaluated using a modified frailty phenotype and frailty index.

Results

The following equation was obtained based on the 8-year mortality for the four BLSA-PAQ components: BLSA-PAQ index (BLSA-PAQ total score) = Walking score + Outdoor chores score + 2 × (low-intensity exercise score) + 3 × (moderate-intensity exercise score). The BLSA-PAQ index decreased with age, and was negatively related to modified frailty phenotype score and frailty index. Low PA and pre-low PA statuses were associated with poorer results in the balance and chair-stand tests, ADL dependency, IADL dependency, and frailty. After adjusting for age and gender, the 8-year mortality HRs were 1.453 (95% CI, 1.166-1.811) and 2.358 (95% CI, 1.856-2.995) for low PA and pre-low PA, respectively. Low PA defined by the BLSA-PAQ index was associated with frailty, disability, worse physical function, and higher mortality.

Conclusion

The BLSA-PAQ seems to be a reliable tool to measure PA in Chinese older adults. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and validate the use of the BLSA-PAQ for frailty assessments of older adults.

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Author notes

  1. Lina Ma and Jieyu Wang contributed equally to the manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bei**g Geriatric Healthcare Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Bei**g Institute of Geriatrics, Key Laboratory on Neurodegenerative Disease of Ministry of Education, Bei**g, 100053, China

    Lina Ma & Zhe Tang

  2. Department of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Medicine, Bei**g, 100053, China

    Lina Ma, Jieyu Wang & P. Chan

  3. Bei**g Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Bei**g, 100069, China

    Zhe Tang & P. Chan

  4. Department of Neurology and Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Bei**g, 100053, China

    P. Chan

  5. Bei**g Geriatric Healthcare Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, #45 Changchun Street, **cheng District, Bei**g, 100053, China

    Zhe Tang

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  1. Lina Ma
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Correspondence to Zhe Tang.

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Ma, L., Wang, J., Tang, Z. et al. Simple Physical Activity Index Predicts Prognosis in Older Adults: Bei**g Longitudinal Study of Aging. J Nutr Health Aging 22, 854–860 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-018-1037-1

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