Knee height to predict stature in North American Caucasian frail free-living elderly receiving community services.

CONTEXT

Height is an important component of anthropometric assessment. Valid measures of height are difficult to obtain in the frail elderly. Equations to predict height, using knee height, were proposed for healthy but not for frail elderly.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to 1) develop and validate equations to predict height (measured and reported) in the frail elderly, 2) to verify the accuracy and reliability of equations, and 3) to compare predicted values with those predicted from existing equations for the healthy elderly.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This is a secondary analysis of data from three cross-sectional studies and three randomized community trials in the Sherbrooke area, Quebec, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

Subjects (n=599) were Caucasian, aged 60 and over, and receiving community or Meals-on-Wheels services.

ANALYSES

Variables associated with measured and reported heights were entered in multiple linear regression models (n = 409) to identify independent prediction factors. Reliability assessment and agreement analysis were performed with a sub-group of subjects (n=190).

RESULTS

Knee height and age in men (R(2) = .718), and with the addition of weight and hip circumference in women (R(2) = .593), were identified as predictors of measured height. For reported height, knee height was a predictor in men (R(2) = .693), while weight was another predictor in women (R(2) = .540). These models predicted height just as well in the validation group (R(2) = .514 to .623). Errors of estimates ranged from +/- 3.31 cm to +/- 5.06 cm. Predicted values were closer to directly measured values in the frail elderly as compared to values obtained with equations in the healthy elderly which differed significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Equations were developed to predict measured and reported height in the frail elderly. These equations can be used when height cannot be measured directly or when postural problems (for measured height) or cognitive disorders (for reported height) can cause unreliable measurements.