Verification of the modified functional continuum scale for mortality risk stratification: The Rugao longitudinal aging study

Functional continuum (FC) spans functional changes, stratifying mortality risk in the Spanish population, but has not been validated in other geographical or ethnic populations. A total of 1755 participants aged 75.31 ± 3.91 years from the Rugao Longitudinal Aging Study were included to evaluate the association between FC and 5-year mortality. Poorer functional independence showed a dose-effect association with increased mortality risk. Participants at FC level 3 had a lower mortality risk compared to those with functional independence (HR=1.58, 95 % CI=1.09 to 2.29). At FC level 4, there was a moderate mortality risk (HR=1.89, 95 % CI=1.13 to 3.17). At FC level 5, the mortality risk was nearly three times higher than that of the functionally independent group (HR=2.82, 95 % CI=1.63 to 4.86). FC provides a comprehensive, sensitive, and precise method for stratifying mortality risk among older adults in China. Health care strategies can be tailored based on the FC levels.