[Short physical performance battery reference values for patients 70 years-old and over in primary health care].

OBJECTIVE

To provide new reference values for the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) for patients 70 years-old and over in primary health care (PHC), and analyse their relationship with demographic data, physical function, health and clinical status.

DESIGN

Baseline interviews and observations of a longitudinal study on physical function and adverse health results.

SETTING

Five Primary Care Centres in the provinces of Alicante and Valencia.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 593 persons 70 years-old and over.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

The SPPB was applied using direct observation, and the rest of the variables by interview. Reference values were calculated according to sex and three age groups (70-75, 76-80, > 80 years), and the validity of the Battery was analysed using association statistics with the demographic, clinical, and function data.

RESULTS

The reference values showed a poor performance in women, and a gradually poorer performance through the three age groups. The SPPB was significantly associated (P < 0.01) with age, sex, number of drugs taken, morbidity, body mass index, dependency in basic activities of daily living (BADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) for health reasons, the 10-item Physical Functioning Scale (PF-10), depression and health perception.

CONCLUSIONS

The reference values of the complete SPPB by age and sex are provided, based category scores in Primary Care patients 70 years-old and over. The Battery results can give a rapid and valid assessment of the functional state of elderly patient in Primary Care.