High test-retest reliability was found for the Function component , while results for the Disability component were more variable .
Conclusions There is extensive evidence to support the construct validity and sensitivity to change of the LLFDI among various clinical population s of community-dwelling older adults .
Background The choice of measure for use as a primary outcome in geriatric research is contingent upon the construct of interest and evidence for its psychometric properties .
The Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument ( LLFDI ) has been widely used to assess functional limitations and disability in studies with older adults .
The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current available evidence for the psychometric properties of the LLFDI .
Nutritional Status in Relation to Balance and Falls in the Elderly
Background / Aim : In elderly persons , fall-related injury is a serious public health problem . We investigated the impact of essential nutritional elements on falls in the elderly . Methods : Clinical function , balance , gait and disability tests and health and nutritional status assessment s were performed . All subjects were interviewed regarding the occurrence of falls in the last year . Blood tests for serum vitamin D , folate and B12 were conducted among a r and omly selected sub sample of 54 participants in the same month . Results : One hundred 65- to 91-year-old volunteers participated in the study , and 29 of them fell at least once during the past year .  The depression score was higher ( indicating more depressive symptoms ) among fallers compared with non-fallers ( 4.0 ± 3.2 vs. 2.5 ± 2.3 , respectively ) . The overall function score ( indicating better function ) was marginally higher in non-fallers . Subsequent comparisons between fallers and non-fallers were adjusted for overall function and depression scores . Serum folate  was significantly lower in fallers ( 9.5 ± 7.1 vs. 16.2 ± 6.7 ng/ml , p = 0.02 ) . Dietary intake  was equal in both groups . Correlation analyses indicate a significant association between vitamin D and the functional measurements : timed get up and go ( negative ) , Berg balance test , overall functional score , lower extremity score and limitation score ( positive correlation coefficients ) . Serum folate was highly and negatively associated with the number of falls and with prescribed medications and was the only protective factor against falls in a multivariate analysis . Conclusions : Vitamin D was related to most functional and balance measurements . Serum folate was protective against falls . For every 1 ng/ml increase in serum folate the occurrence of falls decreased by 19 %
High test-retest reliability was found for the Function component , while results for the Disability component were more variable .
Conclusions There is extensive evidence to support the construct validity and sensitivity to change of the LLFDI among various clinical population s of community-dwelling older adults .
Background The choice of measure for use as a primary outcome in geriatric research is contingent upon the construct of interest and evidence for its psychometric properties .
The Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument ( LLFDI ) has been widely used to assess functional limitations and disability in studies with older adults .
The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current available evidence for the psychometric properties of the LLFDI .