ANALYSIS OF CHANGE IN SELF-REPORTED PHYSICAL FUNCTION AMONG OLDER PERSONS IN 4 POPULATION STUDIES

Change in self-reported physical function was examined using baseline and 5 years of follow-up data between 1982 and 1991 from the four Esta blished Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly studies. In East Boston, Massachusetts (n = 3,809), Iowa and Washington Countie s, Iowa (n = 3,673), New Haven, Connecticut (n = 2,812), and North Car olina (n = 4,163), noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 years and olde r were asked a series of questions to assess their physical function: a modified Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, three items fr om the Rosow-Breslau Functional Health Scale, and questions on physica l performance, adapted from Nagi, as well as information on demographi c, social, and health characteristics. Longitudinal statistical analys es (random effects and Markov transition models) were used to evaluate improvement, stability, and deterioration in functional ability at bo th an individual and a population level over multiple years of data. T he average decline in physical function associated with age was found to be greater than previous cross-sectional studies have suggested, an d the rate of decline increased with increasing age. Considerable indi vidual variation was evident. Although many people experienced decline s, a smaller but substantial portion experienced recovery. Women repor ted a greater rate of decline in physical function and were less likel y to recover from disability.