Combined health problems linked to disability in older Chinese adults
Physical, psychological and cognitive disorders together were linked to 4.02 times the disability risk of having no disorders over two years.
Dose-response
A prospective cohort study followed 5,186 adults aged 60 and older in China for two years, using data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Researchers examined combinations of physical illnesses, psychological conditions and cognitive disorders, which affect thinking.
Four of the five health patterns were associated with disability compared with having no disorders. The adjusted relative risks were 4.02 for all three types together, 3.30 for physical and psychological disorders, 2.20 for physical and cognitive disorders, and 1.85 for physical disorders alone. Analyses by age and sex gave consistent results.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that routine assessments of older adults should include emotional and cognitive screening alongside assessment of physical health.
Caveats
This observational study could identify associations but could not establish that the disorders caused disability. Its findings concern adults aged 60 and older in China, not younger adults or populations elsewhere.
