In the new study, the researchers wanted to determine if this extension of life was associated with an increase in the number of years with or without disability.
Researchers analyzed data from two large population-based studies of people aged 65 and over in the UK. The Cognitive Function and Aging Studies (CFAS I and II) studies included initial interviews with 7,635 people between 1991-1993 and with 7,762 people in 2008-2011, with two years of follow-up. follow-up in each case.
For both healthy individuals and those with health conditions, the median number of years of disability-free life (DFLE) increased from 1991 to 2011. Overall, men increased life expectancy by 4.6 years. and 3.7 years in DFLE.
Men with conditions including arthritis, coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes achieved more years of DFLE than years of disability.
Between 1991 and 2011, women experienced an increase in life expectancy at age 65 of 2.1 years and an increase in DFLE of 2.0 years.
Similar to men, most of the improvements in life expectancy for women with long-term conditions were in disability-free years. However, women with cognitive impairment experienced an increase in disability life expectancy without any improvement in DFLE.
Men with cognitive impairment only slightly increased DFLE with a comparable increase in life expectancy with disability.
Thus, at age 65, the proportion of remaining years of life spent without disability decreases for men with cognitive impairment and for women with cognitive impairment.
While these findings were mostly positive, they did detect an increase in the proportion of remaining years of disability in men and women with cognitive impairment.
Cognitive impairment is also the only long-term condition with reduced prevalence, which is a cause for concern and warrants further investigation.
Source: Medindia
