Age and Ageing, Vol 28, 373-377, Copyright © 1999 by British Geriatrics Society
K Andersen-Ranberg, K Christensen, B Jeune, A Skytthe, L Vasegaard and JW Vaupel
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether physical disability reaches a plateau in the
oldest age groups. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of
3351 individuals, which included all those living in Denmark who celebrated
their 100th anniversary during the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 May 1996
(276 subjects) and all Danish twins aged 75-94 registered in the Danish
Twin Register (3075 subjects). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The ability to
perform selected items of basic activities of daily living independently.
RESULTS: The prevalence of independence in each of six selected activities
of daily living was significantly lower in both men and women centenarians
compared with octo- and septuagenarians. The sex difference in independence
in all six selected activities of daily living was larger for each
advancing age group, with women being most disabled (P < 0.001). In
centenarians 20% of women and 44% of men were able to perform all selected
activities of daily living independently. CONCLUSION: Compared with
individuals aged 75-79 years, physical abilities of men and women gradually
diminished in age groups 80-84, 85-90 and 90-94, with the lowest levels
among 100- year-olds. Although women have lower mortality, they are more
disabled than men, and this difference is more marked with advancing age.
TWIN STUDY
Declining physical abilities with age: a cross-sectional study of older twins and centenarians in Denmark
Ageing Research Centre and Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, Odense, Denmark. K-Ranberg@win-chs.sdu.dk
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