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Health-related quality of life in relation to mobility and fall risk in 85-year-old people: a population study in Sweden

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2015

EVA TÖRNVALL ,
JAN MARCUSSON  and
EWA WRESSLE
EVA TÖRNVALL
Affiliation:
R&D Department of Local Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
JAN MARCUSSON
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Geriatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
EWA WRESSLE*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Geriatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
*
Address for correspondence: Ewa Wressle, University Hospital, Department of Geriatrics, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden E-mail: Ewa.Wressle@regionostergotland.se
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Abstract

Optimal mobility is fundamental for healthy ageing and quality of life. This study is part of a cross-sectional population-based study of 85-year-old people residing in Linköping municipality, Sweden. The purpose was to describe 85-year-old peoples' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in relation to mobility and fall risk while adjusting for gender and body mass index. Data collection included a postal questionnaire, a home visit and a reception visit. HRQoL was assessed with EQ-5D-3L, mobility with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and fall risk with the Downton Fall Risk Index (DFRI). All those who completed the DFRI, TUG and EQ-5D-3L were included in the present study (N = 327). Lower HRQoL was associated with longer time taken to complete TUG and higher fall risk in both genders but not with body mass index. Women had higher risk of falling, took a longer time to complete TUG and reported less physical activity compared with men. Health-care professionals should address mobility capacity and fall risk in order to maintain quality of life in elderly people. This is of utmost importance, especially for elderly women because impaired mobility, high risk of falling and occurrence of pain are common among women, and related to lower HRQoL.

Keywords

Downton Fall Risk IndexTimed Up and GoEQ-5Delderlygenderbody mass index
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 36 , Issue 9 , October 2016 , pp. 1982 - 1997
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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