To investigate the association between the total score of the Kihon checklist (t-KCL score) and functional disability over an 8-year follow-up period, and to examine whether the t-KCL score in the basic model with risk factors contributes to the incremental predictive ability for functional disability among older adults.Methods: We followed 2209 older adults aged ≥65 years without functional disability at baseline. The t-KCL score was determined using a baseline survey questionnaire. Functional disability was defined based on information from long-term care certifications. The association between the t-KCL score and functional disability was examined using the Cox proportional hazards model. The incremental predictive ability of the t-KCL score for functional disability was evaluated by the difference of the C-statistic, category-free net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).
Results:The median follow-up period was 7.8 years, and 557 participants developed functional disability. The adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) of functional disability for a 1-point increase of the t-KCL score was 1.08 (1.06-1.10). Adding the t-KCL score to the basic model significantly improved the C-statistic (95% CI) from 0.747 (0.728-0.768) to 0.760 (0.741-0.781). When the t-KCL score was added to the basic model, the NRI and IDI were 0.187 (95% CI: 0.095-0.287) and 0.020 (95% CI: 0.012-0.027), respectively.
Conclusions:The t-KCL score had an independent positive association with functional disability over an 8-year follow-up. Furthermore, adding the t-KCL score to the basic model improved the predictive ability for functional disability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 723-729.
Many older people have restricted activities or movements because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which causes concerns about secondary health problems. This study aimed to investigate how frailty-prevention activities implemented by local governments have changed the health of community-dwelling older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this observational study, the participants were 23 older Japanese people who took part in keyboard harmonica or exercise classes in 2021. Oral function examination and physical function tests were conducted at baseline and after 10 months of follow-up. In each class, the participants met 15 times and worked on assignments at home. The results showed that oral diadochokinesis/pa/, which represents lip dexterity, improved during 10 months (from 6.6 to 6.8 times/s, p < 0.046); however, grip strength (p < 0.005) and total skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.017) decreased in the keyboard harmonica group. In the exercise group, a statistically significant difference was found only in grip strength, which decreased (p < 0.003). The oral and physical functions of older people who participated in frailty-prevention activities implemented by local governments characteristically changed. Moreover, activity restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused decreased grip strength.
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