Faculty Collaboration Database

Toward a positive aging phenotype for older women: observations from the women's health initiative. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2012 Nov;67(11):1191-6

Date

04/21/2012

Pubmed ID

22518819

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3667695

DOI

10.1093/gerona/gls117

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84867534022   30 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To develop a positive aging phenotype, we undertook analyses to describe multiple dimensions of positive aging and their relationships to one another in women 65 years of age and older and evaluate the performance of individual indicators and composite factors of this phenotype as predictors of time to death, years of healthy living, and years of independent living.

METHODS: Data from Women's Health Initiative clinical trial and observational study participants ages 65 years and older at baseline, including follow-up observations up to 8 years later, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and principal components analysis to identify the factor structure of a positive aging phenotype. The factors were used to predict time to death, years of healthy living (without hospitalization or diagnosis of a serious health condition), and years of independent living (without nursing home admission or use of special services).

RESULTS: We identified a multidimensional phenotype of positive aging that included two factors: Physical-Social Functioning and Emotional Functioning. Both factors were predictive of each of the outcomes, but Physical-Social Functioning was the strongest predictor. Each standard deviation of increase in Physical-Social Functioning was accompanied by a 23.7% reduction in mortality risk, a 19.4% reduction in risk of major health conditions or hospitalizations, and a 26.3% reduction in risk of dependent living.

CONCLUSIONS: Physical-Social Functioning and Emotional Functioning constitute important components of a positive aging phenotype. Physical-Social Functioning was the strongest predictor of outcomes related to positive aging, including years of healthy living, years of independent living, and time to mortality.

Author List

Woods NF, Cochrane BB, LaCroix AZ, Seguin RA, Zaslavsky O, Liu J, Beasley JM, Brunner RL, Espeland MA, Goveas JS, Lane DS, Manson JE, Mouton CP, Robinson JG, Tinker LF

Author

Joseph S. Goveas MD Professor in the Psychiatry department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Age Factors
Aged
Aging
Attitude to Health
Cause of Death
Chronic Disease
Female
Health Promotion
Humans
Independent Living
Interpersonal Relations
Longevity
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Motor Activity
Phenotype
Predictive Value of Tests
Risk Assessment
Sensitivity and Specificity
Time Factors
Women's Health