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Abstract

Locomotor disability, as defined by difficulties in activities of daily living related to lower limb function, can be the consequence of diseases and impairments of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, nervous, sensory and musculoskeletal system. We estimated the associations between specific diseases and impairments and locomotor disability, and the proportion of disability attributable to each condition, controlling for age and comorbidity. The Rotterdam Study is a prospective follow-up study among people aged 55 years and over in the general population. Locomotor disability in 1219 men and 1856 women was assessed with the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire. Diseases and impairments were radiological osteoarthritis, pain of the hips and knees, morning stiffness, fractures, hypertension, vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression, Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, overweight, and low vision. Adjusted odds ratios, etiologic and attributable fractions were calculated for locomotor disability. The occurrence of locomotor disability can partly be ascribed to joint pain, COPD, morning stiffness, diabetes and heart failure in both men and women. In addition in women osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, low vision, fractures, stroke and Parkinson's disease are significant etiologic fractions. In men with morning stiffness, joint pain, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and COPD a significant proportion of their disability is attributable to this impairment. In women this was the case for Parkinson's disease, morning stiffness, low vision, heart failure, joint pain, diabetes, radiological osteoarthritis, stroke, COPD, osteoporosis, and fractures of the lower limbs, in that order. We conclude that locomotor complaints, heart failure, COPD and diabetes mellitus contribute considerably to locomotor disability in non-institutionalized elderly people.

The Rotterdam Study: 2012 objectives and design update

“…Within the topics of locomotor diseases and disability we have reported that heart failure, COPD, diabetes mellitus and chronic disorders leading to locomotor complaints, are risk factors which contribute considerably to locomotor disability [114, 115]. In relation to osteoporosis we have determined the incidence of vertebral [116] and non-vertebral fractures [117], and the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD), BMD change and the occurrence of fracture [117], as well as with heel ultrasound measurements [118] and bone resorption markers [119].…”

Mitochondria-targeted ROS scavenger improves post-ischemic recovery of cardiac function and attenuates mitochondrial abnormalities in aged rats

“…In particular, myocardial infarction is a major cause of chronic disability and mortality in the elderly [1]. Aged hearts exhibit low tolerance to various forms of stress, including oxidative stress induced by ischemia/reperfusion (IR).…”

Neighborhood conditions, diabetes, and risk of lower-body functional limitations among middle-aged African Americans: A cohort study

“…Poor lower-body function plays a crucial role in the disablement process and has been associated with increased disability days, physician contacts, fear of falling, falls, hip fracture, depression, nursing home placement, and mortality [2,3]. Not surprisingly, diabetes is a major risk factor for the development of lower-body-related functional limitations [4], and a substantial portion of population (adult) disability related to lower-extremity functioning is attributable to diabetes [5]. In the United States lower-body functional limitations are especially high among urban African Americans [6].…”