Análisis de la esperanza de vida libre de discapacidad a lo largo de la biografía: de la madurez a la vejez / Analysis of disability-free life expectancy over the lifespan: from maturity to old age

Objective To determine the life stages in which disability-free life expectancy is shortened before the age of 70 years. Method A retrospective longitudinal analysis was carried out in a cohort of 1,286 non-institutionalized people aged from 70 to 74 years old living in metropolitan areas. Disability was measured by instrumental and basic activities of daily living. Disability-free life expectancy was calculated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival probabilities. Results The incidence of basic disability increased from 50 to 54 years old and progressively accelerated until the age of 65-69 years old when the probability of instrumental disability was slightly higher among men than among women (0.23 in men versus 0.19 in women). Disability-free survival was lower among women than among men both for all types of disability (LogRank = 5.80; p = 0.016) and for basic disability (LogRank = 4.315; p = 0.038).Conclusions This study reveals the importance of instrumental disability for domestic tasks among older men. Women had a lower probability of disability-free survival and were more likely to be affected by any type of disability as well as by basic disability. For both genders, there is a slight decrease in disability-free survival from the age of 40 to 60 years. From this age onwards, this decrease markedly accelerates(AU)

Objetivo: Determinar en qué etapas del curso de vida previo a los 70 años se acortan las expectativas de vida en salud. Método: Análisis longitudinal retrospectivo. La población a estudio es una cohorte de 1286 individuos de 70 a 74 años de edad que viven en áreas metropolitanas, no institucionalizados. La discapacidad se mide mediante el desarrollo de las actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria y las actividades básicas de la vida diaria. Se calcula la esperanza de vida libre de discapacidad y la probabilidad de supervivencia mediante Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: La incidencia de discapacidad básica aumenta a partir del tramo de 50 a 54 años de edad, y se acelera progresivamente hasta los 65 a 69 años, cuando la probabilidad de padecer discapacidad instrumental es ligeramente superior en los hombres que en las mujeres (0,23 en hombres y 0,19 en mujeres). La supervivencia sin discapacidad de las mujeres fue peor que la de los hombres, tanto para cualquier tipo de discapacidad (LogRank = 5,80; p = 0,016) como para la discapacidad básica (LogRank =4,315; p = 0,038).Conclusiones: Se pone de manifiesto el importante peso que para la autonomía de la población masculina de estas edades tiene la falta de habilidad instrumental para cuestiones domésticas. Además, las mujeres ostentan un peor pronóstico de supervivencia sin discapacidad, tanto para cualquier tipo de discapacidad como para la discapacidad básica. Para ambos sexos, desde los 40 hasta los 60 años de edad, hay un ligero descenso de la supervivencia sin discapacidad, y a partir de esa edad el descenso se acelera notablemente (AU)

[Analysis of disability-free life expectancy over the lifespan: from maturity to old age]. / Análisis de la esperanza de vida libre de discapacidad a lo largo de la biografía: de la madurez a la vejez.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the life stages in which disability-free life expectancy is shortened before the age of 70 years. METHOD: A retrospective longitudinal analysis was carried out in a cohort of 1,286 non-institutionalized people aged from 70 to 74 years old living in metropolitan areas. Disability was measured by instrumental and basic activities of daily living. Disability-free life expectancy was calculated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival probabilities. RESULTS: The incidence of basic disability increased from 50 to 54 years old and progressively accelerated until the age of 65-69 years old when the probability of instrumental disability was slightly higher among men than among women (0.23 in men versus 0.19 in women). Disability-free survival was lower among women than among men both for all types of disability (LogRank = 5.80; p = 0.016) and for basic disability (LogRank = 4.315; p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the importance of instrumental disability for domestic tasks among older men. Women had a lower probability of disability-free survival and were more likely to be affected by any type of disability as well as by basic disability. For both genders, there is a slight decrease in disability-free survival from the age of 40 to 60 years. From this age onwards, this decrease markedly accelerates.

Protective effects of social networks on disability among older adults in Spain.

The loss of autonomy at advanced ages is not only associated with ageing, but also with the characteristics of the physical and social environment. Recent investigations have shown that social networks, social engagement and participation act like predictors of disability among the elderly. The aim of this study is to determine whether social networks are related to the development and progression of disability in the early years of old age. The source of data is the first wave of the survey "Processes of Vulnerability among Spanish Elderly", carried out in 2005 to a sample of 1244 individuals. The population object of study is the cohort aged 70-74 years in metropolitan areas (Madrid and Barcelona) and not institutionalized. Disability is measured by the development of basic activities of daily life (ADL), and instrumental activities of daily life (IADL). The structural aspects of the social relationships are measured through the diversity of social networks and participation. We used the social network index (SNI). For each point over the SNI, the risk of developing any type of disability decreased by 49% (HR=0.51, 95%CI=0.31-0.82). The SNI was a decisive factor in all forecasting models constructed with some hazard ratios (HR) that ranged from 0.29 (95%CI=0.14-0.59) in the first model to 0.43 (95%CI 0.20-0.90) in the full model. The results of the present study showed a strong association between an active social life, emotional support provided by friends and confidents and disability. These findings suggest a protective effect of social networks on disability. Also, these results indicate that some family and emotional ties have a significant effect on both the prevalence and the incidence of disability.