Association of Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors and Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Among Elderly People;Bushehr Elderly Health Program

Abstract

Background: Iran's population is aging. One of the most common problems in Iranian public health is the high prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardio-metabolic and demographic risk factors and disability in people 60 years and older in Iran.Methods: Data from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program was used in the analysis. Demographic characteristics, as well as the history of diabetes and other chronic diseases, and smoking were measured using standardized questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed under standard conditions. Dependency was determined by the questionnaires of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using Barthel and Lawton scales respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used in the analysis.Results: Mean (Standard Deviation) of the participants’ age was 69.34 (6.4) years (range: 60 and 96 years), and 48.06% of the participants were men. After adjusting for potential confounders, being older, being female (OR (95%CI): 2.33 (1.89 - 2.86)), having a lower education level, a history of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.43 (1.17 -1.74)) and past smoking (OR: 1.25 (1.00 - 1.55)), and no physical activity (OR: 1.54 (1.23 - 1.87)) were significantly associated with dependency in IADL. Also, being older and female (OR: 2.38 (1.85 - 3.03)), having a lower education level, no physical activity (OR: 2.17 (1.61 - 2.86)) and low daily intake of calories were associated with dependency in BADL.Conclusion: Age, gender, education level and physical activity are risk factors of the dependency in both of BADL and IADL in the elderly people. Diabetes mellitus and past smoking are risk factors of the dependency in IADL, and low HDL cholesterol and low daily intake of calories are risk factors of the dependency in BADL.