Predictors of transitions in disease and disability in pre- and early-retirement populations.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed rates of prevalence and incidence of, and transitions in, disease and disability statuses of those aged 51 to 61 years and the predictors of the transition outcomes-remaining free of disease or disability, getting better, or getting worse-over a 2-year period.

METHODS: Data from the 1992 and 1994 interview waves of the Health and Retirement Study were used for gender-separate binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: Despite high prevalence and incidence rates of chronic disease and functional limitations, the improvement rates in disabilities were also high. For both genders, age, years of education, health-related behaviors, and comorbidity factors were significant predictors of the transition outcomes.

DISCUSSION: The significance of health-related behaviors as predictors of transitions suggests that lifestyle factors may have a bigger influence on this age group than on older groups.