Background
Spirometry-based parameters of pulmonary function such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) have prognostic value beyond respiratory morbidity and mortality. Limited data are available on its prognostic value for adverse health outcomes in the growing group of very old adults (=80 years old). We investigate the prognostic value of FEV1 for adverse health outcomes in very old adults and assess the predictive value of airflow limitation (AL) for all-cause mortality and hospitalisation using two different approaches to cut-offs for FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity).
Methods
In a Belgian population-based, prospective cohort of 501 very old adults, survival, Cox and logistic regression multivariable analysis assessed the association of FEV1 standardizations with 5-year all-cause mortality, first hospitalization at 3 years and decline in mental and physical functioning at around 2 years. Survival and Cox regression analysis assessed the association of AL by the 5th percentile of GLI 2012 z-scores (GLI-LLN) and fixed (0.70) cut-offs with all-cause mortality and first hospitalisation.
Results
Compared to the rest of the population, individuals in the lowest quartile of FEV1 standardizations had statistically significant increased adjusted risk for all-cause mortality (highest hazard ratio [HR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42-2.69) for FEV1/height cubed), first hospitalization (only FEV1/height cubed and height squared), decline in mental functioning (except FEV1 percent predicted). No FEV1 standardization was independently associated with physical decline. Only AL by GLI-LLN was independently associated with mortality (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.30-3.38).
Conclusions
In a cohort of very old adults, low FEV1 was found to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, hospitalization and decline in mental functioning. Only AL by GLI-LLN independently predicted all-cause mortality without missing individuals with significantly higher all-cause mortality and hospitalisation. Further research is needed on FEV1 as a potential risk marker for adverse health outcomes in very old adults.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
This article is published under an open access license. Please check the 'Copyright Information' section either on this page or in the PDF for details of this license and what re-use is permitted. If your intended use exceeds what is permitted by the license or if you are unable to locate the licence and re-use information, please contact the Rights and Permissions team.
About this article
Cite this article
Turkeshi, E., Vaes, B., Andreeva, E. et al. Respiratory function and its predictive value for health related outcomes in the BELFRAIL cohort. Arch Public Health 73 (Suppl 1), P11 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-3258-73-S1-P11
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-3258-73-S1-P11