Title | A Matched Cohort Analysis for Examining the Association Between Slow Gait Speed and Shortened Longevity in Older Americans |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2022 |
Authors | McGrath, BM, Johnson, PJo, McGrath, R, Cawthon, PM, Klawitter, L, Choi, B-J |
Journal | Journal of Applied Gerontology |
Volume | 41 |
Issue | 8 |
Pagination | 1905-1913 |
ISSN Number | 1552-4523 |
Keywords | Aging, Epidemiology, Geriatric Assessment, Physical Functional Performance, walk test |
Abstract | This investigation examined the association between slow gait speed, as defined with newly established cut-points, and all-cause mortality in older Americans with a matched cohort analysis. The analytic sample included 10,259 Americans aged ≥65 years from the 2006-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Walking speed was measured in participant residences. Slow gait speed cut-points of <0.60 and <0.75 m/s were used separately for classifying participants as having slow walking speed. Nearest-neighbor propensity score matching was used to match the slow to the not-slow cohorts separately using both cut-points using relevant covariates. Persons with gait speed <0.60 m/s had a 1.42 higher hazard for mortality (95% CI: 1.28-1.57). Older Americans with gait speed <0.75 m/s had a 1.36 higher hazard for mortality (95% CI: 1.23-1.50). Slow gait speed may represent failing health and addressing how slow gait speed could be improved may help with referrals to appropriate interventions. |
DOI | 10.1177/07334648221092399 |
Citation Key | 12410 |
PubMed ID | 35506669 |