The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences Advance Access originally published online on January 31, 2009
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2009 64A(2):223-229; doi:10.1093/gerona/gln022
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Use of the Short Physical Performance Battery Score to Predict Loss of Ability to Walk 400 Meters: Analysis From the InCHIANTI Study
1 Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
2 Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland
3 Tuscany Health Regional Agency, Florence, Italy
4 Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland
5 Geriatric Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Firenze, Italy
Address correspondence to Sarinnapha Vasunilashorn, BS, Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191. Email: vasunila{at}usc.edu
 |
Abstract |
|---|
Background: Early detection of mobility limitations remains an important goal for preventing mobility disability. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the loss of ability to walk 400 m, an objectively assessed mobility outcome increasingly used in clinical trials.
Methods: The study sample consisted of 542 adults from the InCHIANTI study aged 65 and older, who completed the 400 m walk at baseline and had evaluations on the SPPB and 400 m walk at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine whether SPPB scores predict the loss of ability to walk 400 m at follow-up among persons able to walk 400 m at baseline.
Results: The 3-year incidence of failing the 400 m walk was 15.5%. After adjusting for age, sex, education, body mass index, Mini-Mental State Examination, number of medical conditions, and 400 m walk gait speed at baseline, SPPB score was significantly associated with loss of ability to walk 400 m after 3 years. Participants with SPPB scores of 10 or lower at baseline had significantly higher odds of mobility disability at follow-up (odds ratio [OR] = 3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–8.65) compared with those who scored 12, with a graded response across the range of SPPB scores (OR = 26.93, 95% CI: 7.51–96.50; OR = 7.67, 95% CI: 2.26–26.04; OR = 8.28, 95% CI: 3.32–20.67 for SPPB 
7, SPPB 8, and SPPB 9, respectively).
Conclusions: The SPPB strongly predicts loss of ability to walk 400 m. Thus, using the SPPB to identify older persons at high risk of lower body functional limitations seems a valid means of recognizing individuals who would benefit most from preventive interventions.
Keywords Mobility; 400 m walk; Incidence of disability; Functional limitation; Aging
Received: August 28, 2007; Accepted: June 3, 2008