Trajectories of physical functioning and its predictors in older adults: A 16-year longitudinal study in China

ObjectiveMaintaining and delaying a decline in physical function in older adults is critical for healthy aging. This study aimed to explore trajectories, critical points of the trajectory changes, and predictors among older people in the Chinese community.DesignThis study was one with a longitudinal design performed in China.Setting and participantsThe target population was community-dwelling older adults aged over 65 years. A total of 2,503 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were included in this study.MethodsPhysical functioning was measured by instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Population-based trajectory models were used to identify potential heterogeneity in longitudinal changes over 16 years and to investigate associations between baseline predictors and different trajectories for different cohort members using LASSO regression and logistic regression.ResultsFour trajectories of physical function were identified: slow decline (33.0%), poor function and moderate decline (8.1%), rapid decline (23.5%), and stable function (35.4%). Older age, male sex, worse self-reported health status, worse vision status, more chronic diseases, worse cognitive function, and a decreased frequency of leisure activity influenced changes in the trajectory of physical function. Having fewer teeth, stronger depressive symptoms, a lack of exercise, and reduced hearing may increase the rate of decline.Conclusion and implicationsFour trajectories of physical function were identified in the Chinese elderly population. Early prevention or intervention of the determinants of these trajectories can maintain or delay the rate of decline in physical function and improve healthy aging.