The main diseases associated with functional limitations and disabilities in old age: Results from Taiwan National Health Survey 2009

Objective: This study intended to explore the association among disease/ medical conditions with functional limitation or disability among Taiwanese older people.
Method: The data were from the 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). A total of 2900 participants aged 65+ years who responded to all ADL items were included. Disability was defined by reported “severe” or “profound” difficulty on any ADL item. A total of 17 diseases/ medical conditions were asked and the prevalence of each item in the disabled population was calculated.
Results: Among all participants, 10.3% categorized as “having disability”. The leading conditions associated with disability among Taiwanese older people were hypertension (57.2%), hearing problem (40.4%), stroke(32.8%), osteoporosis(32.2%), diabetes(27.8%), heart related disease(21.3%), hyperlipidemia(20.5%) and arthritis(14.2).
Discussion: The results showed that the most common disease among older people with disability is hypertension, followed by other conditions that also strongly associated life-style like, stroke, diabetes, hyperlipidemia etc.
Conclusion: The results once again supported that it is considered to be more promising and up-streaming to deal with behavioral risk factors or lifestyles while facing the issue of disability in older age.