%0 Journal Article %J BMC Geriatr %D 2011 %T Recent trends in chronic disease, impairment and disability among older adults in the United States. %A William W. Hung %A Joseph S. Ross %A Boockvar, Kenneth S %A Albert L Siu %K Activities of Daily Living %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Chronic disease %K Disabled Persons %K Female %K Health Surveys %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K United States %K Visually Impaired Persons %X

BACKGROUND: To examine concurrent prevalence trends of chronic disease, impairment and disability among older adults.

METHODS: We analyzed the 1998, 2004 and 2008 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of older adults in the United States, and included 31,568 community dwelling adults aged 65 and over. Measurements include: prevalence of chronic diseases including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and arthritis; prevalence of impairments, including impairments of cognition, vision, hearing, mobility, and urinary incontinence; prevalence of disability, including activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

RESULTS: The proportion of older adults reporting no chronic disease decreased from 13.1% (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 12.4%-13.8%) in 1998 to 7.8% (95% CI, 7.2%-8.4%) in 2008, whereas the proportion reporting 1 or more chronic diseases increased from 86.9% (95% CI, 86.2%-89.6%) in 1998 to 92.2% (95% CI, 91.6%-92.8%) in 2008. In addition, the proportion reporting 4 or more diseases increased from 11.7% (95% CI, 11.0%-12.4%) in 1998 to 17.4% (95% CI, 16.6%-18.2%) in 2008. The proportion of older adults reporting no impairments was 47.3% (95% CI, 46.3%-48.4%) in 1998 and 44.4% (95% CI, 43.3%-45.5%) in 2008, whereas the proportion of respondents reporting 3 or more was 7.2% (95% CI, 6.7%-7.7%) in 1998 and 7.3% (95% CI, 6.8%-7.9%) in 2008. The proportion of older adults reporting any ADL or IADL disability was 26.3% (95% CI, 25.4%-27.2%) in 1998 and 25.4% (95% CI, 24.5%-26.3%) in 2008.

CONCLUSIONS: Multiple chronic disease is increasingly prevalent among older U.S. adults, whereas the prevalence of impairment and disability, while substantial, remain stable.

%B BMC Geriatr %I 11 %V 11 %P 47 %8 2011 Aug 18 %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21851629?dopt=Abstract %2 PMC3170191 %4 PREVALENCE/concurrent prevalence trends/concurrent prevalence trends/Chronic Disease/impairment/impairment/DISABILITY/DISABILITY/ADL and IADL Impairments %$ 62721 %R 10.1186/1471-2318-11-47