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. 2014 Nov;69 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S177-90.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbu091.

Geriatric syndromes and functional status in NSHAP: rationale, measurement, and preliminary findings

Megan Huisingh-Scheetz  1 , Masha Kocherginsky  2 , Phillip L Schumm  2 , Michal Engelman  2 , Martha K McClintock  3 , William Dale  4 , Elizabeth Magett  4 , Patricia Rush  4 , Linda Waite  3
Affiliations

Geriatric syndromes and functional status in NSHAP: rationale, measurement, and preliminary findings

Megan Huisingh-Scheetz et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2014 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: The geriatric functional measures and syndromes collected 5 years apart in Waves 1 and 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) data set included: difficulty with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, the timed up and go, a 3-m timed walk, repeated chair stands, self-reported physical activity, accelerometry-assessed (in)activity, falls, fractures, and frailty. The purpose of this paper was to describe the data collection methods and report preliminary population estimates for each measures.

Method: Frequencies, means, or medians were estimated for each measure stratified by age and gender, using the age-eligible samples in Wave 1 (n = 3,005) and Wave 2 (n = 3,196). An adapted phenotypic frailty scale was constructed in the sample common to both waves (n = 2,261). Changes over 5 years were reported for four measures common to both waves.

Results: The functional measures worsened with age (p < .001). The syndromes were more prevalent with age except "all fractures" (p value range < .001-.03). Functional measures were worse among females than males except chair stand performance and the accelerometry-assessed (in)activity measures (p value range < .001-.01). The syndromes were more common among females than males except Wave 2 falls and Wave 2 hip fractures (p value range < .001-.03). Changes from Wave 1 to 2 revealed 11.5%-25.2% of individuals reported better health and 21.3%-44.7% reported worse health.

Discussion: The NSHAP provides a comprehensive assessment of geriatric health. Our findings are consistent with the literature and support the construct of the study measures.

Keywords: Accelerometry; Falls; Fracture; Frailty; Functional assessment; Gait; Older adults; Physical activity..

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
NSHAP geriatric functional measures and geriatric syndromes. NSHAP = National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Lowess curve: relationship between timed up and go and timed walk + timed chair stands. Pearson’s correlation coefficient r = .29.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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