Lifetime occupation and physical function: a prospective cohort study on persons aged 80 years and older living in a community.
Occup Environ Med
; 63(7): 438-42, 2006 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16782827
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Several studies have reported predictors for loss of mobility and impairments of physical performance among frail elderly people.AIM:
To evaluate the relationship between lifetime occupation and physical function in persons aged 80 years or older.METHODS:
Data are from baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study (a prospective cohort study performed in a mountain community in Central Italy). Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score, which is based on three timed tests 4-metre walking speed, balance, and chair stand tests. Muscle strength was measured by hand grip strength. Lifetime occupation was categorised as manual or non-manual work.RESULTS:
Mean age of participants was 85.9 (SD 4.9) years. Of the total sample, 273 subjects (75%) had a history of manual work and 91 subjects (25%) a history of non-manual work. Manual workers had significant lower grip strength and physical performance battery score (indicating worse performance) than non-manual workers. After adjustment for potential confounders (including age, gender, education, depression, cognitive performance scale score, physical activity, number of diseases, hearing impairment, history of alcohol abuse, smoking habit, and haemoglobin level), manual workers had significantly worse physical function (hand grip strength non-manual workers 32.5 kg, SE 1.4, manual workers 28.2 kg, SE 0.8; physical performance battery score non-manual workers 7.1, SE 0.4, manual workers 6.1, SE 0.2).CONCLUSIONS:
A history of manual work, especially when associated with high physical stress, is independently associated with low physical function and muscle strength in older persons.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estresse Mecânico
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Idoso Fragilizado
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Exposição Ocupacional
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Pessoas com Deficiência
/
Força da Mão
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Incidence_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged80
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Female
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Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Occup Environ Med
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália