Anemia Is Associated with Disability and Decreased Physical Performance and Muscle Strength in the Elderly
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2004
Citazione:
Anemia Is Associated with Disability and Decreased Physical Performance and Muscle Strength in the Elderly / B.W.J.H. Penninx, M. Pahor, M. Cesari, A.M. Corsi, R.C. Woodman, S. Bandinelli, J.M. Guralnik, L. Ferrucci. - In: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY. - ISSN 0002-8614. - 52:5(2004), pp. 719-724.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:
To examine the association between anemia and disability, physical performance, and muscle strength in older persons.
DESIGN:
Cross-sectional.
SETTING:
Community-dwelling older persons in the Chianti area in Italy.
PARTICIPANTS:
A total of 1,156 persons aged 65 and older participating in the InChianti Study ("Invecchiare in Chianti," i.e., Aging in the Chianti Area).
MEASUREMENTS:
Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization criteria as a hemoglobin concentration below 12 g/dL in women and below 13 g/dL in men. Disability in six basic and eight instrumental activities of daily living was assessed. Physical performance was assessed using the short physical performance battery (4-m walk, balance, and chair stands), which yields a summary performance score ranging from 0 to 12 (high). Muscle strength was determined using knee extensor and handgrip strength assessments.
RESULTS:
Overall, 11.1% of the men and 11.5% of the women had anemia. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, Mini-Mental State Examination score, creatinine level, and presence of various comorbid conditions, anemic persons had more disabilities (1.71 vs 1.04, P=.002) and poorer performance (8.8 vs 9.6, P=.003) than persons without anemia. Anemic persons also had significantly lower knee extensor strength (14.1 vs 15.2 kg, P=.02) and lower handgrip strength (25.3 vs 27.1 kg, P=.04) than persons without anemia. Further adjustment for inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) did not change these associations.
CONCLUSION:
Anemia is associated with disability, poorer physical performance, and lower muscle strength. Further research should explore whether treating anemia has a beneficial effect on the functional status of older persons.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Anemia; Disability; InCHIANTI; Older persons; Physical performance; Strength; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Hand Strength; Hemoglobins; Humans; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Physical Fitness; Sex Factors; World Health Organization; Activities of Daily Living; Disabled Persons; Motor Activity; Geriatrics and Gerontology
Elenco autori:
B.W.J.H. Penninx, M. Pahor, M. Cesari, A.M. Corsi, R.C. Woodman, S. Bandinelli, J.M. Guralnik, L. Ferrucci
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