Is car use related with successful ageing of older adults? Results from the multi-national MEDIS study

• Published in: Annals of epidemiology
• Main Authors: Tyrovolas, Stefanos, Polychronopoulos, Evangelos, Morena, Marianthi, Mariolis, Anargiros, Piscopo, Suzanne, Valacchi, Giuseppe, Bountziouka, Vassiliki, Anastasiou, Foteini, Zeimbekis, Akis, Tyrovola, Dimitra, Foscolou, Alexandra, Gotsis, Efthimios, Metallinos, George, Soulis, George, Tur, Josep-Antoni, Matalas, Antonia, Lionis, Christos, Sidossis, Labros S, Panagiotakos, Demosthenes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Internal Medicine; Successful ageing; driving; older adults; Mediterranean islands; car use
• ISSN: 1047-2797
• DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2016.12.006

Abstract Purpose The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relation between car use and the level of successful ageing of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin. Methods During 2005-2011, 2749 older (aged 65-100 years) from 22 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the MEDIS cross-sectional study. Socio-demographics, medical conditions, dietary and lifestyle habits, were derived throughout standard procedures. Car use was recorded with a standard binary question. A successful ageing index ranging from 0 to 10 was used. Results Older adults that used a car on regular basis had significantly higher levels of successful ageing, as well as less prevalence of obesity and hypertension while were more physically active (p<0.001). After adjusting for several confounders car use was still positively related with elderly islander´s successful ageing level [beta-coefficient (95% CI): 0.65 (0.54 to 0.77)]. Conclusions In conclusion, the activity of car use seems to be an indicator of quality of life among older adults, as measured through successful ageing.