Effects of respiratory and non-respiratory factors on disability among older adults with airway obstruction: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Abstract

Background: High rates of disability associated with chronic airway obstruction may be caused by impaired pulmonary function, pulmonary symptoms, other chronic diseases, or systemic inflammation. Methods: We analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal cohort of 5888 older adults. Categories of lung function (normal; restricted; borderline, mild-moderate, and severe obstruction) were delineated by baseline spirometry (without bronchodilator). Disability-free years were calculated as total years alive a © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.