Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian Metropolises

Objective. We aimed to examine the independent contributions of physical health and cognitive function to disability among Chinese older adults living in two Asian metropolises and explore the potential influences of environment. Design and Participants. Cross-sectional analysis based on data from t...

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Main Authors: Lei Feng, Tze-Pin Ng, Yanling He, Chunbo Li, Ee-Heok Kua, Mingyuan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:Journal of Aging Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/960848
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author Lei Feng
Tze-Pin Ng
Yanling He
Chunbo Li
Ee-Heok Kua
Mingyuan Zhang
author_facet Lei Feng
Tze-Pin Ng
Yanling He
Chunbo Li
Ee-Heok Kua
Mingyuan Zhang
author_sort Lei Feng
collection DOAJ
description Objective. We aimed to examine the independent contributions of physical health and cognitive function to disability among Chinese older adults living in two Asian metropolises and explore the potential influences of environment. Design and Participants. Cross-sectional analysis based on data from two population-based studies: the Shanghai Survey of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia (n=4639) and the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (n=2397). Disability was defined as needing help in at least one activity of daily living. Results. The prevalence of functional disability was higher in Shanghai sample (5%) than that in Singapore sample (1.8%). Number of chronic diseases, self-rated health status, cognitive function (measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination), and environment (Singapore versus Shanghai) significantly contributed to functional disability independent of each other. The adjusted Odds Ratio was 1.35 (95%CI 1.22–1.50), 2.85 (95% CI 2.36–3.43), 0.89 (95% CI 0.85–0.94), and 0.68 (95% CI 0.48–0.96), respectively. The strength of associations between health variables and disability appeared to be influenced by environment. Conclusion. Physical health and cognitive function independently contributed to functional disability. The associations are modulated by environmental factors.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2090-2212
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publishDate 2011-01-01
publisher Wiley
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series Journal of Aging Research
spelling doaj-art-3a75dbe7f61e4b6cb566417f306eaa2a2025-08-20T03:55:40ZengWileyJournal of Aging Research2090-22122011-01-01201110.4061/2011/960848960848Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian MetropolisesLei Feng0Tze-Pin Ng1Yanling He2Chunbo Li3Ee-Heok Kua4Mingyuan Zhang5Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, SingaporeGerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, SingaporeShanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, ChinaShanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, ChinaGerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, SingaporeShanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, ChinaObjective. We aimed to examine the independent contributions of physical health and cognitive function to disability among Chinese older adults living in two Asian metropolises and explore the potential influences of environment. Design and Participants. Cross-sectional analysis based on data from two population-based studies: the Shanghai Survey of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia (n=4639) and the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (n=2397). Disability was defined as needing help in at least one activity of daily living. Results. The prevalence of functional disability was higher in Shanghai sample (5%) than that in Singapore sample (1.8%). Number of chronic diseases, self-rated health status, cognitive function (measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination), and environment (Singapore versus Shanghai) significantly contributed to functional disability independent of each other. The adjusted Odds Ratio was 1.35 (95%CI 1.22–1.50), 2.85 (95% CI 2.36–3.43), 0.89 (95% CI 0.85–0.94), and 0.68 (95% CI 0.48–0.96), respectively. The strength of associations between health variables and disability appeared to be influenced by environment. Conclusion. Physical health and cognitive function independently contributed to functional disability. The associations are modulated by environmental factors.http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/960848
spellingShingle Lei Feng
Tze-Pin Ng
Yanling He
Chunbo Li
Ee-Heok Kua
Mingyuan Zhang
Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian Metropolises
Journal of Aging Research
title Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian Metropolises
title_full Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian Metropolises
title_fullStr Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian Metropolises
title_full_unstemmed Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian Metropolises
title_short Physical Health and Cognitive Function Independently Contributed to Functional Disability among Chinese Older Adults: Data from Two Asian Metropolises
title_sort physical health and cognitive function independently contributed to functional disability among chinese older adults data from two asian metropolises
url http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/960848
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