Musculoskeletal disorders and disability in persons aged 85 and over: a community survey

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 53; no. 12; pp. 807 - 811
• Main Authors: van Schaardenburg, D, Van den Brande, K J, Ligthart, G J, Breedveld, F C, Hazes, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01.12.1994; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disabled Persons; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Musculoskeletal diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases - epidemiology; Netherlands - epidemiology; Osteoarthritis - epidemiology; Prevalence; Sex Factors; Netherlands; Europe; Human; Striated muscle disease; Prevalence; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Statistical study; Elderly; Public health; Age; Physical handicap
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.53.12.807

OBJECTIVES--To study the prevalences of musculoskeletal disorders and disability in the elderly, and the relationship between them. METHODS--A community sample of 73 females and 32 males aged 85 and over underwent a standardised examination at home. Musculoskeletal disorders were classified according to published clinical criteria. The relative effects on disability (a walking distance of < 500 m or dependency in activities of daily living (ADL)) of musculoskeletal disorders and comorbidity were analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS--Musculoskeletal pain was reported by 57% of those interviewed. A major restriction of joint movement range was frequent in the shoulder but uncommon in other joints. A shoulder disorder was found in 27% of subjects, rheumatoid arthritis in 1% and osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, hip, and knee in five, seven, and 18% of subjects, respectively. Disability was frequent: a walking distance of < 500 m was found in 60% and ADL dependency in 40% of the group. Factors related to one or both of these disability measures included female gender, hip and knee OA, impaired vision, cognitive impairment and neurological disease. CONCLUSION--Musculoskeletal pain and disorders, in addition to disability were frequent in this very elderly population. However, as a cause of disability, other disorders were at least as important as musculoskeletal disorders.