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K Avlund

Publications and source records attributed to K Avlund.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Functional ability of community dwelling elderly. Criterion-related validity of a new measure of functional ability.

Criterion-related validity of a new measure of functional ability was conducted according to a causal model based on conceptual models employed in the area of rehabilitative and geriatric medicine. The criteria variables included concurrent diagnosed diseases, global self-rated health, drug consumption and general practitioner (GP) consultations. The measure of functional ability was developed with the intention of achieving a high degree of discrimination among a group of community dwelling elderly. Data were derived from a sample survey of 70-year-old men and women conducted in 1984 in the county of Copenhagen (Denmark). Altogether 366 men and 368 women participated in each of the two phases of the study--a comprehensive medical examination at the county hospital at Glostrup followed by a home visit conducted by an occupational therapist 1-2 weeks later. The analysis included four different unidimensional index scales of functional ability divided into two types, with reduced speed and tiredness as subdimensions. The two scale types were mobility function and lower limb function. Early losses of ability together with global self-rated health were treated as outcome measures of diagnosed chronic diseases. At the same time these outcome measures together with diagnosed diseases were considered to predict drug consumption and GP consultations. It was shown that functional ability as measured by the new index scales were strongly influenced by diagnosed diseases: arteriostenosis and osteoarthrosis in lower extremities, obesity, shoulder impairments and bronchitis among women, and glucose intolerance, arteriostenosis in lower extremities and shoulder impairments among men. Global self-rated health was strongly associated with the new functional ability rating system. Early losses of ability but not self-rated health was a strong predictor for drug consumption and frequent contacts with GP. It is concluded that the new measure of functional ability is suitable for health studies of community dwelling elderly, in particular as a summary statement of the individual's health status.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

What do 70-year-old men and women actually do? And what are they able to do? From the Glostrup survey in 1984.

The study includes an interview-based assessment of functional capacity in a random sample of 734 70-year-old people, and describes what they do, and what they are able to do. This was achieved by PADL and IADL assessment with a classification especially developed for elderly people addressing speed, frequency, tiredness and need for help, and the distinction between what the elderly do and what they are able to do. Great differences were found between PADL and IADL. All PADL were performed by nearly everyone while no IADL were performed by everybody. Unlike PADL, significant differences between men and women were found in nearly all IADL. Only a few elderly persons were unable to perform PADL, while considerably more were incapable of carrying out IADL without help.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1990

[Social situation of the 70-year old population in the past and present. A cohort comparison of 70-year old men and women born in 1987 and 1914 in Glostrup].

A cohort comparison between two different populations of 70 year-olds in Glostrup studied in 1967 (230 men and 210 women) and in 1984 (412 men and 392 women) was conducted for the purpose of identifying differences in social background factors known to have influence on health and the quality of life of old people. The findings show, that from 1967 to 1984, the standard of housing had improved. Significantly more 70 year-olds had better housing conditions with bath, toilet, kitchen and central heating in 1984 (65-92%). Women in the 1914 cohort had significantly longer education and a larger proportion were employed outside the home than in the 1897 cohort. Another significant cohort difference found was a tendency toward earlier retirement in the order of 2-3 years. This was seen for both sexes and all occupational groups. Since the two populations of 70 year-olds in Glostrup differ with regard to both social conditions and on health variables, this cohort comparison offers a useful starting point for research on how living conditions in combination with other factors affect health and aging.

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PubMed1990

[Health status of the 70-year-old population in the past and present. A cohort comparison of 70-year old men and women born in 1987 and 1914 in Glostrup].

A cohort comparison between two different populations of 70 year-olds in Glostrup who had health examinations in 1967 (230 men and 210 women) and in 1984 (412 men and 392 women) was conducted with the purpose of describing changes in health variables among old people during a period of falling mortality for both men and women. From the 1967 investigation to the 1984 investigation there was a significant improvement of the cardiovascular risk profile (i.e. body mass index, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, glucose tolerance) which is consistent with other such investigations. In contrast to these findings, symptoms of chronic conditions (angina pectoris, intermittent claudication and bronchitis) as well as the need for health care were the same in the two populations of 70 year-olds. In addition, the 1914 cohort reported a more pessimistic outlook with regard to their general health and greater consumption of medicine. The results of this investigation are consistent with expectations regarding changes in risk factors and mortality in older generations. The consequences of the falling mortality for morbidity and functional ability in a life perspective are, however, still uncertain, and cannot be evaluated alone from results such as these.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of five-year functional ability in a longitudinal survey of men and women aged 75 to 80. The 1914-population in Glostrup, Denmark.

Data from a longitudinal study of aging-a Danish substudy within a Nordic comparative longitudinal Research on Ageing study (NORA)-is presented. The goal is to highlight easily measured factors, that are relevant to prevention and postponement of disability in the elderly. In a population-based, representative sample, the objectives were: to describe five-year outcome regarding death and functional ability to age 75 to 80, as well as individual changes in muscle strength, physical performance in simple function tests and self-reported physical activity, and relate "risk markers" to five-year outcome. Baseline values were obtained in 405 participants in the 1989-survey of the 1914-cohort in Copenhagen County. The 307 survivors were invited for the survey of 80-year olds in 1995. Outcome was measured as death, non-participation, decline, stability or improvement in two measures of mobility function (tiredness and dependency). Between ages 75 and 80, 24% died, 12% did not participate in the follow-up, 23% became tired performing mobility functions, 20% did not change but 21% became less tired; 19% became more dependent, 44% remained stable and only 2% improved in relation to dependency on help in mobility functions. "Stability" in mobility functions was related to ability to mount stairs, walking speed, mood and physical activity. Number of chronic diseases and low pulmonary function were only related to mobility in men. Among people who improved their function, many had rather low baseline-values, suggesting regression to the mean. Multiple logistic regression was conducted. The follow-up survey found that female participants were more physically active at baseline than non-participants. Five-year mortality was independently related to physical activity (RR = 0.41), pulmonary function in men (RR = 0.45/l increase) and muscle strength in women (RR = 0.65/N/kg increase). Dependency at follow-up in men was related to low physical activity at baseline (RR = 4.14), disability to mount a 50-cm step (RR = 4.07), two or more chronic diseases (RR = 3.36) and, only marginally significant, knee extension strength. In women only low physical activity was predictive (RR = 4.32). From baseline to follow-up, 34% of the population had reduced their physical activities. Knee extension strength was reduced from 6.0 to 4.4 N/kg in men, and from 4.2 to 3.3 N/kg in women. In the stair-mounting test, 44% could only attain one or more 10 cm steps lower than at baseline. A dose-response-relationship of declining muscle mass to functional limitations was observed in men and women at the age of 75 as well as the age of 80.

Activities of Daily Living↗