Self-reported and performance-based functional status and associated factors among elderly men: The Finnish cohorts of the seven countries study

Health and functional status were studied in 470 men aged 70-89, the surviv ors of the Finnish cohorts of the Seven Countries Study. We aimed to compar e subjective (self-reported activity of daily living [ADL]) and objective m ethods (four physical performance tests) in the assessment of physical func tion and to identify which factors are related to physical function. Poor A DL and decreased physical performance were mainly explained by the same hea lth-related factors. The strongest determinants of ADL were depressive symp tomatology odds ratio [OR] 4.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7-8.8), oste oarthritis (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.8-5.9), vertigo (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.5) and d iabetes (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.6). Self-reported ADL and performance-based m easures were in general strongly correlated with each other, although there was some discordance owing to the fact that these performance tests examin e functional limitations, whereas the self-reported ADL reflects disability . The choice of which measurement to use in assessing functional status sho uld be based on research objectives and the type of population under study. J CLIN EPIDEMIOL 51;12:1243-1252, 1998. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.