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Self-Reported Versus Performance-Based Measures of Physical Function

Author

Listed:
  • Noreen Goldman

    (Princeton University)

  • Dana Glei

    (Georgetown University)

  • Luis Rosero-Bixby

    (Universidad de Costa Rica)

  • Shu-Ti Chiou

    (Health Promotion Administration)

  • Maxine Weinstein

    (Georgetown University)

Abstract

Background: Although previous studies have indicated that performance assessments strongly predict future survival, few have evaluated the incremental value in the presence of controls for self-reported activity and mobility limitations. Objective: We assess and compare the added value of four tests -- walking speed, chair stands, grip strength, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) -- for predicting all-cause mortality. Methods: Using population-based samples of older adults in Costa Rica (n = 2290, aged 60+) and Taiwan (n = 1219, aged 53+), we estimate proportional hazards models of mortality for an approximate five-year period. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves are used to assess the prognostic value of each performance assessment. Results: Self-reported measures of physical limitations contribute substantial gains in mortality prediction, whereas performance-based assessments yield modest incremental gains. PEF provides the greatest added value, followed by grip strength. Our results suggest that including more than two performance assessments may provide little improvement in mortality prediction. Conclusions: PEF and grip strength are often simpler to administer in home interview settings, impose less of a burden on some respondents, and, in the presence of self-reported limitations, appear to be better predictors of mortality than do walking speed or chair stands. Comments: Being unable to perform the test is often a strong predictor of mortality, but these indicators are not well-defined. Exclusion rates vary by the specific task and are likely to depend on the underlying demographic, health, social and cultural characteristics of the sample.

Suggested Citation

  • Noreen Goldman & Dana Glei & Luis Rosero-Bixby & Shu-Ti Chiou & Maxine Weinstein, 2014. "Self-Reported Versus Performance-Based Measures of Physical Function," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 30(7), pages 227-252.
  • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:30:y:2014:i:7
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2014.30.7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jennifer C. Cornman & Dana Glei & Germán Rodríguez & Noreen Goldman & Baai-Shyun Hurng & Maxine Weinstein, 2011. "Demographic and Socioeconomic Status Differences in Perceptions of Difficulty With Mobility in Late Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(2), pages 237-248.
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    Cited by:

    1. Collin F. Payne & Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé & Kathleen Kahn & Lisa Berkman, 2017. "Physical Function in an Aging Population in Rural South Africa: Findings From HAALSI and Cross-National Comparisons With HRS Sister Studies," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(4), pages 665-679.
    2. Ang, Shannon, 2019. "Intersectional cohort change: Disparities in mobility limitations among older Singaporeans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 223-231.

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      More about this item

      Keywords

      mortality; disability; physical function; self report; performance assessments;
      All these keywords.

      JEL classification:

      • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
      • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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