@article {6596, title = {Multisystem physiologic impairments and changes in gait speed of older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci}, volume = {70}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Mar}, pages = {319-24}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Slowed gait is an important health indicator in older adults but a single identifiable cause is often lacking. We assessed whether a summary index measuring impairments across multiple physiologic systems was associated with slowed gait in older individuals.

METHODS: Data from the Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 3,010) were used to assess associations between baseline physiologic index (measuring vasculature, brain, kidneys, lungs, and glucose metabolism; range 0-10 with 0-2 points/system and lower score indicating higher function) and annual gait speed (m/s) over 6 years. Participants with complete data on the physiologic index and at least two gait speed measures were included. Mean gait speed and 95\% confidence intervals (CI) by category of index were calculated using mixed effects models.

RESULTS: Those with scores of three or higher on the index had significantly slower gait speed at baseline compared to those with scores of 0-2 (7-10: mean speed = 0.83 m/s, 95\% CI: 0.80, 0.84; 0-2: mean speed = 1.01 m/s, 95\% CI: 0.99, 1.03). Those with higher indices also had faster decline in gait speed compared to those with lower scores after adjustment for demographic and health characteristics (7-10: change in speed = -0.020 m/s/year, 95\% CI: -0.024, -0.016; 0-2: change in speed= -0.010 m/s/year, 95\% CI: -0.014, -0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: Greater impairment across five organ systems was associated with slower gait speed and greater declines in gait speed over 6 years. Impairments accumulated over multiple physiologic systems may make older adults more vulnerable to slow gait speed.

}, keywords = {Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brain, Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena, Cohort Studies, Female, Gait, Geriatric Assessment, Glucose, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Kidney, Lung, Male, Sensitivity and Specificity, Time Factors}, issn = {1758-535X}, doi = {10.1093/gerona/glu176}, author = {Rosso, Andrea L and Sanders, Jason L and Arnold, Alice M and Boudreau, Robert M and Hirsch, Calvin H and Carlson, Michelle C and Rosano, Caterina and Kritchevsky, Stephen B and Newman, Anne B} }