Longitudinal transitions in intrinsic capacity profiles and their associations with subsequent adverse outcomes among Chinese older adults: A nationwide prospective cohort study

AIMS: To characterize longitudinal transitions in intrinsic capacity (IC) profiles and investigate their associations with adverse outcomes. METHODS: Data from three waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were utilized. Latent profile and transition analyses identified IC profiles and their changes between the 2011 and 2014 waves. Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models explored the associations of profile transitions with mortality, activities of daily living disability, instrumental activities of daily living disability, and recurrent severe diseases in the 2018 wave. RESULTS: Two IC profiles were identified: high IC without physio-cognitive decline (HPCD) and low IC with mainly physio-cognitive decline (LPCD). Approximately 85.89% of participants' profiles remained stable, 12.53% transitioned to LPCD, and 1.58% transitioned to HPCD. Groups remaining in or transitioning to LPCD had increased risks of adverse outcomes compared to those with consistent HPCD profiles. Groups with transitions to HPCD profiles reported similar outcomes to that of consistent HPCD profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent monitoring and targeted preventative strategies are crucial to optimize IC profiles and reduce economic and public health burdens.