Conclusions This review shows that physical frailty indicators can predict ADL disability in community-dwelling elderly people .
Slow gait speed and low physical activity/exercise seem to be the most powerful predictors followed by weight loss , lower extremity function , balance , muscle strength , and other indicators .
Nevertheless , our study suggests that monitoring physical frailty indicators in community-dwelling elderly people might be useful to identify elderly people who could benefit from disability prevention programs
Background Disability in Activities of Daily Living ( ADL ) is an adverse outcome of frailty that places a burden on frail elderly people , care providers and the care system .
Knowing which physical frailty indicators predict ADL disability is useful in identifying elderly people who might benefit from an intervention that prevents disability or increases functioning in daily life .
The objective of this study was to systematic ally review the literature on the predictive value of physical frailty indicators on ADL disability in community-dwelling elderly people .
Body weight dynamics and their association with physical function and mortality in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study.
BACKGROUND To estimate the associations of weight dynamics with physical functioning and mortality in older adults . METHODS Longitudinal cohort study using prospect ively collected data on weight , physical function , and health status in four U.S. Communities in the Cardiovascular Health Study . Included were 3,278 participants ( 2,013 women and 541 African Americans ) , aged 65 or older at enrollment , who had at least five weight measurements . Weight was measured at annual clinic visits between 1992 and 1999 , and summary measures of mean weight , coefficient of variation , average annual weight change , and episodes of loss and gain ( cycling )  were calculated . Participants were followed from 1999 to 2006 for activities of daily living ( ADL ) difficulty , incident mobility limitations , and mortality . RESULTS Higher mean weight , weight variability , and weight cycling increased the risk of new onset of ADL difficulties and mobility limitations . After adjustment for risk factors , the hazard ratio ( 95 % confidence interval ) for weight cycling for incident ADL impairment was 1.28 ( 1.12 , 1.47 ) , similar to that for several comorbidities in our model , including cancer and diabetes . Lower weight , weight loss , higher variability , and weight cycling were all risk factors for mortality , after adjustment for demographic risk factors , height , self-report health status , and comorbidities . CONCLUSIONS Variations in weight are important indicators of future physical limitations and mortality in the elderly and may reflect difficulties in maintaining homeostasis throughout older ages . Monitoring the weight of an older person for fluctuations or episodes of both loss and gain is an important aspect of geriatric care
Conclusions This review shows that physical frailty indicators can predict ADL disability in community-dwelling elderly people .
Slow gait speed and low physical activity/exercise seem to be the most powerful predictors followed by weight loss , lower extremity function , balance , muscle strength , and other indicators .
Nevertheless , our study suggests that monitoring physical frailty indicators in community-dwelling elderly people might be useful to identify elderly people who could benefit from disability prevention programs
Background Disability in Activities of Daily Living ( ADL ) is an adverse outcome of frailty that places a burden on frail elderly people , care providers and the care system .
Knowing which physical frailty indicators predict ADL disability is useful in identifying elderly people who might benefit from an intervention that prevents disability or increases functioning in daily life .
The objective of this study was to systematic ally review the literature on the predictive value of physical frailty indicators on ADL disability in community-dwelling elderly people .